A Co Cavan nursing home employee received the Overall Excellence Award at the Nursing Homes Ireland Care Awards this week. Kathleen Dunleavy, who fulfils the role of Activities Therapist at Esker Lodge was named the overall winner at the Awards.
82-year-old Kathleen Dunleavy has been employed in Esker Lodge since 2004 and now works in the facility two days per week. During that time Kathleen set up a men's card club and a bridge club, undertakes one-to-one chair exercises with residents, reads to them, organises resident outings and much more.
Speaking on this morning's Joe Finnegan Show, Kathleen revealed that when she could not visit the nursing home during Covid, she wrote a letter every week that was read out to the residents to lift their spirits and provide comfort. Commenting on her recent award, Kathleen paid tribute to the staff at Esker Lodge who she says never go without a smile on their face when carrying out their daily duties.
"I've been doing this for 20 years and I've enjoyed every single minute of it," explained Kathleen. "I couldn't do it without all the help from the carers and the staff at Esker Lodge. It just wouldn't work if I didn't get the help I get from all the carers, they're always smiling and always so helpful. The culture of Esker Lodge is to care for the individual person."
