Slieve Russell Hotel – Inclusive Hotel – Dementia Friendly

Description

*Creating a Dementia-Friendly Experience
At The Slieve Russell Hotel, we believe hospitality should be inclusive, respectful, and supportive of all. We are proud to be the first Dementia Friends Hotel in Ireland, dedicated to creating a warm, safe, and understanding environment for guests living with dementia and their families.
*Empowered by Dementia Champions
Central to our transformation has been empowering our team. Key employees across departments have received specialist training from the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland to become Dementia Champions. These ambassadors help shape our approach, sharing their knowledge to ensure all employees provide compassionate, patient, and informed support in every interaction.
*Tailored Training Across Departments
Recognising that dementia care requires more than general awareness, we’ve developed bespoke training modules for each department. From reception to housekeeping, our teams are trained to recognise signs of confusion or distress and respond with empathy and clarity. Our food and beverage employees have also been trained on communication techniques and dietary considerations to ensure mealtimes are relaxing and dignified.
Guests with Dementia and their caregivers coming to stay can take advantage of a priority check-in, designed to make arrival smoother, quicker, so they can begin relaxing and enjoying their break right away.
*Dementia-Friendly Bedrooms
In April 2025, we proudly opened our dementia-friendly bedrooms, launched by Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland CEO Andrew Heffernan. These rooms were designed following consultation of healthcare professionals and follow best practices in dementia care. Features include clear signage, simplified layouts, non-reflective surfaces, minimal clutter, contrasting colours for visibility, and quiet zones to reduce sensory overload—providing guests with comfort, safety, and autonomy.
*Accessible and Inclusive Facilities
Accessibility is vital to inclusion. We provide designated accessible parking at both of our entrances, and all public facilities include accessible restrooms with grab rails and emergency pull cords. Communal areas are easy to navigate and fully accessible, including our covered smoking area at the Country Club. Signage throughout the hotel uses high-contrast visuals and intuitive design to reduce confusion.
Just a short walk from the hotel’s front door, guest can find our secret garden which features an all-weather brick pathway, shaded seating, this outdoor space supports relaxation, comfort, and well-being for those living with dementia and their families.
*Community Engagement
In September 2024, we hosted a successful “Memory Walk” in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland, uniting families, carers, and the community in support of dementia awareness. We’ve also organised Dementia Tea Parties, welcoming local nursing home residents, carers, and families for afternoons filled with music, tea, and meaningful connection.
*Looking to the Future
Our commitment to being a dementia-inclusive hotel doesn’t stop here. We will continue to invest in Employee training, review our services regularly, and listen to feedback from guests and carers. Our mission is to offer more than accommodation, we strive to create moments of joy, dignity, and peace, ensuring every guest feels respected and valued.
At The Slieve Russell Hotel, we don’t just accommodate guests living with dementia, we welcome them with understanding and open arms.

Aim of Initiative

The aim of this initiative is to continue the journey at the hotel in becoming a more accessible and inclusive space, reflecting our core values of inclusivity, social engagement, and corporate responsibility. We believe that hospitality should be welcoming to all, and we are committed to ensuring that every guest regardless of ability, can experience comfort, dignity, and ease throughout their stay.
This initiative aligns with our broader commitment to social inclusion and our role as an active, responsible contributor to the local community. We understand that accessibility is not just about physical spaces, but also about attitudes, awareness, and service. As such, we are dedicated to investing in our people—providing training and upskilling opportunities to help our team understand and implement best practices in accessibility.
By empowering our Employee, enhancing our facilities, and listening closely to the needs of our guests and community, we aim to lead by example in the Irish hospitality sector. We recognise that becoming a truly accessible hotel is an ongoing journey, and we are proud to take meaningful steps toward that goal.
Through this initiative, we aspire to create a hotel environment that is not only compliant but genuinely welcoming and supportive for all individuals. It’s a reflection of who we are and who we want to be as a business with purpose.

Who is it aimed at

This initiative is aimed at our guests – both regular and new – who may be travelling with loved ones experiencing dementia or other accessibility challenges. We understand how overwhelming such journeys can be and want to provide a supportive, stress-free environment. It is also directed at caregivers, who deserve time to rest and recharge while enjoying quality moments with their loved ones. Additionally, the initiative extends to the local community, including the Cavan Branch of the Alzheimer Society, supporting them in their invaluable work with patients and carers, including those in local nursing home settings.

3 Steps critical to success

1.  Research
   The initial step critical to the success of our Dementia Friendly initiative was in-depth research. This involved direct engagement with Dementia caregivers and active collaboration with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland to ensure their insights and feedback were integrated from the outset. We also conducted a thorough review of suitable products and features for dementia-friendly guest rooms, ensuring they meet the functional needs of guests while maintaining the standard of quality and luxury our hotel is known for. In addition, we benchmarked our plans against leading practices by researching how other hotels, internationally including in the UK, have enhanced accessibility and guest support in similar settings. This stage ensured that our approach was evidence-based, respectful, and aligned with both industry standards and real-world needs.
2.  Planning and Verification
   The second step focused on detailed planning and verification. A key element was the development of tailored, department-specific dementia training modules designed to equip all employees with the knowledge and confidence to support guests with dementia and their care givers. These training materials were submitted for review to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland to ensure accuracy, appropriateness, and sensitivity. Their input was invaluable in refining the content to best serve our guests. Internally, we also coordinated planning meetings, including with the Housekeeping Manager and our in-house Electrician, to develop a comprehensive work-list of changes needed to prepare the designated dementia-friendly guest room.
3.  Room Renovations and Implementation
   The final step was implementation. Before physical works commenced, the designated rooms were reviewed with input from key stakeholders including the Hotel’s Dementia Champions, whose feedback helped inform design choices and equipment selection. Following this, necessary renovations were carried out, and dementia-friendly furnishings and supports were installed. Concurrently, team training sessions were delivered, empowering employees to confidently and compassionately support guests living with dementia. To raise awareness and ensure clarity for prospective guests, we updated our hotel website with a dedicated section on Accessibility and Dementia Friendly Services. Finally, before the rooms were ready to be launched, representatives from the Alzheimer Society of Ireland reviewed the completed rooms before they were officially opened at the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland Tea Day Fundraiser in April 2025.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Becoming a Dementia Friendly Hotel in Ireland has been both a rewarding and challenging journey. One of the primary challenges we encountered was a lack of readily available training tailored to the hospitality industry. While general dementia awareness programs exist, we needed to adapt this knowledge to real-world hotel scenarios such as front desk interactions, housekeeping practices, and dining service requiring custom training development and ongoing employee engagement.
2. Physical adaptations of the environment posed another challenge. Many features of our hotel, such as lighting, signage and layout, needed assessment and modification to support cognitive ease and reduce confusion or distress for guests living with dementia. Balancing these modifications with the aesthetic and operational needs of the hotel required careful planning and investment.
3. Raising awareness and building empathy among all employee levels from management to part-time seasonal workers was essential but time-consuming. It involved fostering a culture of patience, flexibility, and understanding. Furthermore, engaging families and caregivers to better understand their needs and expectations was vital, and we learned a lot through direct feedback.
   Finally, navigating the absence of formal national standards or accreditation specific to dementia-friendly hospitality in Ireland created uncertainty. We often had to adapt best practices from healthcare and community-based models.
   Despite these challenges, the journey has led to a more inclusive, compassionate environment that benefits not only guests living with dementia and their families but all our visitors and employees.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. 1. Greater Understanding and Emotional Intelligence: Educated, Empowered Employee
   • Enhanced Training: Employees are trained in dementia awareness and accessibility best practices, resulting in more compassionate, guest-centered service.
   • Empathy in Action: Employees develop greater emotional intelligence, improving guest interactions across the board.
   • Professional Growth: Employees gain valuable skills that boost confidence, job satisfaction, and retention.
   • Consistent Experience: All departments; front desk, housekeeping, Food & Beverage collaborate to ensure a seamless and supportive guest journey.
2. 2. Inclusiveness Enhanced: A Stronger Sense of Community
   • Welcoming for All: The hotel becomes a safe space for individuals with dementia, their caregivers, and guests with varied mobility or sensory needs.
   • Community Engagement: Opportunities to partner with the Local Alzheimer’s branch in Cavan and with the Local Men’s Shed to foster stronger community ties.
   • Positive Reputation: The hotel earns recognition as a socially responsible, inclusive business appealing to a broader guest demographic.
   • Safe Spaces: Thoughtful design and communication help guests feel secure and understood, reducing stress and enhancing their overall stay.
3. Luxury and Care Combined: Elevated Guest Experience
   • Comfort Without Compromise: Accessible features are woven seamlessly into a luxurious environment, ensuring dignity and delight.
   • Personalized Service: Employees trained in Dementia and Accessibility needs can tailor experiences to suit individual guests, delivering thoughtful, anticipatory care.
   • Brand Differentiation: Standing out in the hospitality sector as both high-end and inclusive offers a unique selling point.
   • Guest Loyalty: Guests and families affected by dementia or mobility issues are more likely to return and recommend the hotel due to the exceptional level of support and care.