Remarks at the official opening of Waterman’s Lodge Day Care & Respite Centre
6th June 2012
Tá áthas an domhain orm bheith anseo inniu mar 9ú Uachtarán na hÉireann agus ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil le Cumann Alzheimer na hÉireann as an cuireadh cneasta an tIonad Cúram Lae agus Faoisimh Waterman Lodge a oscailt go hoifigiúil.
[I am delighted to be here today in my capacity as the ninth President of Ireland, and I would like to thank the Alzheimer Society of Ireland for the kind invitation to officially open the Waterman’s Lodge Day Care & Respite Centre. ]
I am delighted to be in Ballina/Killaloe, a very beautiful part of the country that straddles two proud counties. Today is a day of great pride and achievement for all those who have worked so hard to create this wonderful Centre. As Patron of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, I am very aware of its remarkable work. The more I see of its work, the more I am impressed by the patient and determined response to the cruel affliction of dementia, which if not properly addressed and supported, has the capacity to rob people of their dignity and their joy in life.
We all know people in our families, our friends and our communities who have been affected by dementia; people who had hitherto lived full and engaging lives in society until this illness gradually disconnected them from the normal interaction of life; people who now live in the shadows rather than the full light of life. The apparent arbitrary occurrence of dementia is a very cruel fate for those who suffer from it and for their family and loved ones. How more cruel and intolerable would that be if dementia had to be endured alone; if the people concerned were simply left to cope on their own, marginalised in their community and isolated from society.
The role played by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland in ensuring that dementia does not become such a life in the shadows is therefore of critical importance. The work that you do with dementia sufferers and their families is vitally important in maintaining a sense of hope, dignity and solidarity. That network of support includes over 100 dementia specific services such as day care centres, home care services, carer support groups, social clubs and two respite centres. In addition, your Alzheimer National Helpline Service offers vital information and support to anyone struggling to cope with a loved one being robbed of their vitality.
What is extraordinary is that all of this has been achieved in a comparatively short period. Your Society is still a young organisation – founded 30 years ago by a small group of people who were caring for a family member with Alzheimers. Today, the Society comprises over 2,500 members, 300 volunteers and over 900 full and part-time staff with six regional offices and a network of Branches around the country.
This a great story of transformation – of people who opted to become active citizens in support of others who were at risk of becoming marginalised and excluded. The small number of pioneers who founded the Society in 1982 led the way and thousands of others have since followed so that sufferers of dementia and their family can have a better and more dignified life.
Seven years after the Society was formed, the Limerick Branch was established. Its first Committee had only seven members and yet it was instrumental in the establishment of three Day Care Centres and the Day Care/Respite Centre we are opening today in Ballina/Killaloe, as well as encouraging the establishment of Branches in Adare and Neneagh. This is more evidence of the transformational power of people coming together determined to collectively work in the interests of those who do not have the capacity to help themselves.
I am delighted to have the opportunity to visit the Watermans Lodge Day Care and Respite Centre – to see its great facilities; meet its caring staff; and have an opportunity to talk to one of our fellow citizens who is able to benefit from what is a home from home. I understand that Watermans Lodge was originally built as a home. This is a very apt resonance as the staff and volunteers who work here try very hard to make it a welcoming and homely place for the people who avail of its services. Cé go bhfuil duine dá gclann ag imeacht ón baile tuigeann an teaghlach go bhfuil sé/sí ag tabhairt cuairt ar áit ina gcuirtear cóir leighis ar fáil le dínit agus cairdeas. And the families involved must be very reassured that their loved one is only leaving home to visit another one where they will be treated with great dignity, friendship and compassion.
I know that the establishment of this Centre and meeting its ongoing running costs would not have been possible without a huge amount of effort on the part of many people – including a very effective funding partnership involving the statutory and philanthropic sectors. The driving force behind the establishment of the Centre was Lillian Sullivan, one of the founding members of the Limerick Branch in 1997, and I am delighted to commend Lillian for her vision and commitment. Indeed, I congratulate all concerned on what has been achieved – particularly the members, staff and volunteers of the Society who every day choose to be agents of transformation – to be the arrow and not the target – so that life is made a little bit easier for people who suffer from dementia and their families.
I now have the privilege of declaring the Waterman Lodge Day Care & Respite Centre officially open.
Go raibh mile maith agaibh.