New Approach to Bring Community Supports to Women in Nursing Homes

05/06/2025 Age Friendly Ireland | National, Local | Leitrim, Roscommon

A new initiative will bring volunteer befrienders and other community-based supports to women living in long-term residential care in Counties Roscommon and Leitrim. This initiative will benefit 200 nursing home residents over an 18 month period.

The Community Linkage Project is managed by Age Friendly Ireland and funded by the Women’s Health Fund in the Department of Health.

Shannon Lodge Private Nursing Home, Rooskey

^{Chief Executive Roscommon Co.Co, Shane Tiernan, Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Pascal Fitzmaurice, Minister of State for Older People Kieran O’Donnell and Resident of Nursing Home / Minister of State for Older People Kieran O’Donnell Paddy Joe Burke, Age Friendly Ambassador, Roscommon}

^{Minister of State for Older People Kieran O’Donnell with Residents and staff of Nursing Home}

Speaking at a recent visit to participating nursing homes, the Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell, commented on the innovative approach:

“This project will help nursing home residents to access a broad array of existing supports and activities in the community. By providing choices to residents that reflect their interests and preferences, as well as bringing volunteers into the nursing home setting, the project will help enhance connection between residential care and community living. This will enrich the lives of residents in nursing homes and give both public services and community groups greater links with nursing home settings. By introducing community-based services, the initiative aims to improve the quality of life and health and wellbeing outcomes for women living in nursing homes.”

Lough Erril Private Nursing Home, Mohill, Leitrim

^{Minister of State for Older People Kieran O’Donnell with Resident of Louth Erril Nursing Home / Minister of State for Older People Kieran O’Donnell with Cllr Paddy O’Rourke, Cathaoirleach Leitrim Co.Co.}

^{Minister of State for Older People Kieran O’Donnell with residents, staff, Cathaoirleach, Cllr Sean McGowan and Cllr Maeve Reynolds / Minister of State for Older People Kieran O’Donnell with residents, staff and Cllr Maeve Reynolds.}

Participating residents will have tailored personal plans, offering them a range of activities and supports. Services will include activities to boost physical and mental health, opportunities for creative and cultural engagement, and improved access to information and local supports. The Community Linkage Project will create new opportunities for older women in nursing homes to take part in social, leisure or education opportunities.

In addition to arranging supports for social and leisure interests, the Project Co-ordinator will also recruit local volunteers to visit the nursing home residents. Volunteers will be recruited from among Older People’s Councils as well as intergenerational volunteering through local schools.

The concept of reaching out to older people in residential care was promoted by Roscommon’s Age Friendly Ambassador Paddy Joe Burke:

“I am honoured to be associated with this new project. We have an opportunity to go into nursing homes, to meet people and say hello. I believe that interaction is the best form of medicine. It is a privilege to sit and spend time with an older person. Age Friendly Ireland is a wonderful organisation, and this project will make a big difference for older people in nursing homes, helping them to feel more connected with their neighbours and the wider community around the nursing home.”

Plunkett Community Nursing Unit, Boyle, Roscommon

^{Minister of State for Older People Kieran O’Donnell is with a resident Eileen, she was holding her medal from the President for her 100th birthday, she’s 101 yrs now / Minister of State for Older People Kieran O’Donnell is with residents of the home}

^{Minister of State for Older People Kieran O’Donnell with the Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Pascal Fitzmaurice, Roscommon County Council Director of Services and Senior Executive Officer and Age Friendly Ireland staff (Maria Nolan and Sylvia McCarthy)}

Roscommon and Leitrim County Councils and their respective Age Friendly Programmes are supporting this initiative, along with multiple other stakeholders, including Volunteer Centres in Roscommon and Leitrim.

The Community Linkage Project will run over an 18 month period starting in March 2025 and will be evaluated to assess its impact on women’s health in the participating nursing homes.

The participating nursing homes, which include both private and community facilities, have assigned a staff member to act as the Age Friendly Champion to lead on this work. Nine nursing homes have agreed to participate: