The inaugural Nursing Homes Week 2013 will be celebrated in Westmeath from August 26 to September 1.
There are 13 nursing homes in Westmeath providing essential care for 550 residents. In Westmeath alone, over 500 people are directly employed in the sector.
Throughout the week, nursing homes across the county will hold fun events which will be open to family and friends of residents along with members of the public. The week will climax over the weekend of Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1 when nursing homes will hold a range of activities to celebrate nursing home life.
The schedule of events for Westmeath nursing homes will be announced shortly.
In addition, Nursing Homes Week will aim to stimulate debate surrounding the future of care provision for older people in Ireland. There are over 21,500 people receiving specialist care in the private and voluntary nursing home sector, which accounts for around 75 per cent of the country’s long-term care beds. The ESRI projects that an additional 888 long-term residential care places will be required per annum to 2021.
The initiative is being brought together by Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI ), the representative organisation for private and voluntary nursing homes.
The week will also see the launch of Quality Living, Quality Care, an NHI booklet that will provide valuable advice and information for persons considering nursing home life.
