REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE ORCHARD DAY CARE AND RESPITE CENTRE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE ORCHARD DAY CARE AND RESPITE CENTRE TUESDAY, 16TH NOVEMBER 2010
Dia dhibh go léir inniú. Ta an-áthas orm bheith anseo libh ar an ócáid speisialta seo.
Thank you for that warm welcome and thanks also to Maurice O’Connell for the
invitation to officially open the Orchard Day and Overnight Respite Care Centre.
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is a vital friend and support to people with
Alzheimer’s, their families and their carers. It is an advocate on their behalf in the
wider society, an educator of the rest of us as to the very complex and challenging
implications and consequences of this illness. It is a Society created by and largely
sustained by volunteers, who have by their efforts created from almost nothing a
short few years ago, a range of professional services and resources which are
changing the lives of families affected by dementia.
The Daughters of Charity who tended the 18th century walled garden on which this
Centre is built would be very proud indeed to see what has been developed here and
not only would the bricks and mortar impress them, but they would surely be
heartwarmed by the spirit, the care, the generosity and the commitment which abides
in this place and which led to its existence.
A family confronted with dementia experiences pressures and strains on their coping
skills which few but they can understand. It is a shocking thing to see a family
member who was so vibrant and full of personality begin to slide into the strange
world of chaotic memory.
Behaviour becomes aberrational, dependence rises and the trajectory of relationships is shifted out of kilter. There is the grief of loss, the pressure of round the clock vigilance and care, the worry of additional dangers, the impact on home life, on work life, on social life, on finances, on nerves, on health. There is in other words a heavy toll and what is worse is that though research into treatments and cures continues and is bringing better news to sufferers and carers, the disease generally in the long run renders its victims unreachable as they drift further and further in the shadow of dementia’s obscuring veil.
The needs of Alzheimer sufferers and their carers become greater and greater as the disease progresses, which is why the company of the Society is so important to so many who are on this very difficult journey.
With the help of the Society that journey is not inevitably as sad or grim as it might
otherwise be. This fabulous new purpose built, award winning facility will make a
very welcome and very real difference to the lives of those living with dementia.
It’s a safe and sociable place where those living with dementia can meet, make friends, engage in interesting and absorbing activities, experience a degree of independence and importantly lead as active and engaged a life as possible.
For carers, this is a burden sharing place. It’s a place they can trust and they can lean
on through times when they are worn out by work and worry, when their batteries
need recharge time. This Centre offers them respite from the constant stress and
from the isolation that so many carers live with on a daily basis.
Getting a timely break can make all the difference between coping or being overwhelmed, between enjoying life and enduring life. This place tells them they are not alone, there is help and people do care.
Key to the caring that takes place here is of course the staff, each one of whom has
made this work their own personal vocation. It is your professionalism that makes
this such a trusted and effective place. It is your attitude which makes it such a happy
and dynamic place.
Between you and the partnership you have with the Society, the Orchard is a place rich in focus on the individual with a strong emphasis on providing a quality person-centred experience for service users. These things are so important to those cared for and their families - even if at times they do not remember who they are, that we as a society never lose sight of the dignity they are entitled to and the fullness of life they are entitled to.
I warmly commend the Society on the considerable effort expended by its members
in order to create this fabulous new Centre. I thank each one of you for being such
faithful friends to those living with dementia, their family and carers. With your new
national offices established here, this place has already become a statement of intent
that the future for those with Alzheimers is going to be one of progress and
improvement, of problems solved, of burdens shared and of a level of care that we can
be proud of. It now gives me great pleasure to declare the Orchard Day Care and
Respite Centre officially open.
Is iontach an obair atá ar siúl agaibh anseo. Go n-éirí go geal libh ‘s go raibh míle
maith agaibh go léir.