Community Service | Eyrefield Nursing Home - Date:
Day 1: Eyrefield Nursing Home I chose to do my Community Service week in a nursing home in Greystones during Transition Year. This nursing home is called Eyrefield nursing home. My Grandmother also attends this nursing home so I was quite familiar with the place beforehand.
On Monday, the 14th of April I arrived to the nursing home for my first day of community service. When I went inside I put away all of my belongings and I met all of the lovely elderly ladies in the ‘Red Room’. I introduced myself to everyone (Who worked there and attended the nursing home itself). One of the women who attended the nursing home taught me how to crochet (Lady 1).I also coloured and painted with one of the other attendees (Lady 2 has Down syndrome). Lunchtime arrived and I helped out by handing out food as well as feeding one of the attendees (Lady 3). When lunch was finished I walked one of the ladies (Lady 4) around the nursing home. Walking and exercising is very important for the women attending the nurse again as it keeps them up on their feet. I walked around the nursing home (Lady 4 showed me all the different rooms). Towards the end of the day, I was introduced to the two main owners/workers Liz and Pauline. Both of the women were lovely and amazing to work with. Throughout the week I met loads of different workers. Some of them were foreign and some of them were Irish.
Day 2: Eyrefield Nursing Home I arrived to the nursing home for my second day. When I went inside the ‘Red Room’ I sorted out all of the dvds (music) that the women listen to. About an hour later I played bowling with them all. Lady 2 absolutely loved bowling. It was then time for lunch, I walked several of the ladies down to the dining hall and I fed Lady 3. After lunch I attended a course that was taking place in the nursing home for the workers. They were learning about infections/bacteria. Towards the end of the day I helped another lady to her room (Lady 5).
Day 3: Eyrefield Nursing Home I arrived to the nursing home for my third day. Upstairs in the nursing home there is a painted tree and the leaves have each name of the residents on them. I began to remake the leaves as some of them were broken. Later on in the day a woman came in to the nursing home to do exercises with the women. This is so that they stay active and healthy. They all did a series of boxing techniques etc. It was then time for lunch. I walked some of the women down to the dining room and I also fed Lady 3 again. After lunch I helped one of the workers by wheeling one of the disabled ladies back to the ‘Red Room’ - Lady 6
Day 4: Eyrefield Nursing Home I arrived to the nursing home for my fourth day. When I went into the ‘Red Room’ I began to finish off the leaves for the tree. After I finished the leaves Noel (one of the workers) started a questionnaire- like-game. She asked several of questions about Ireland and its rivers, counties and towns. It was then time for lunch. I walked several of the ladies down to the dining room to receive their food. I fed Lady 3. Later on in the day a therapy dog came in to visit the residents. The dogs name was coco and he was a Cavalier-King Charles. Towards the end of the day I went and helped Lady 5 to her room again. Every morning during the week I read out the RTÉ tv channel’s timetable to her. I also helped her to her room after lunch several times which was really enjoyable.
Day 5: Eyrefield Nursing Home + Conclusion I arrived to the nursing home for my fifth and final day. Every morning the ladies in the ‘Red Room’ would have their tea. Some ladies would have thickner in their tea because they found it hard to swallow. I helped feeding tea to Lady 6. A few minutes later I walked Lady 4 down to her room. All throughout the day I helped Lady 5 to her room. I brought her to her bathroom twice and I brought her to her room to sit down once. It was soon lunch time and went a fed Lady 3 for the last time. I brought the ladies back to the ‘Red Room’ after lunch. I helped the workers take care of them all for a few hours whilst we listened and danced to music. Before I knew it, my week was over in Eyrefield Nursing home.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed my week at Eyrefield Nursing Home. I was nervous at first to work at it but in the end it was one of my most favourite events of Transition Year. I made several relationships/bonds with both the people that worked there (Noel, Jenny, Liz and Pauline) and the ladies who attended the nursing home. I completed my tasks and activities well all throughout the week. During my interview, The main owner - Liz - was eager to offer me a job during the summer time and whenever I’m free. She also gave me a gift afterwards. I’m so glad I can see all of the people in the nursing home again during the summer time because I don’t want to break those bonds that we all made. I’ll be getting Garda Vetted after the Camino so I can work there during the summer time!