Sonas to open state-of-the-art Care Centre in Athlone
Westmeath Independent & Athlone Voice, 4 February 2006
SONAS Healthcare, one of Ireland's leading providers of care services, opened its €12m state-of-the Care Centre at Cloghanboy, Athlone on Friday last.The Sonas Healthcare company already operates award-winning Care Centres in Roscommon and Sligo and have developed an impressive reputation for providing professional healthcare services for the elderly population.
The facilities in Roscommon and Sligo became the first nursing homes in Ireland to receive the quality mark from Excellence Ireland. Excellence Ireland is a national body which recognises excellence in service delivery.
Sonas opens €12m Athlone Care Centre
The Athlone Care Centre, which is currently applying for that quality mark, incorporates a 60-bed nursing home and 16 independent living units. The nursing home is among the most modern in the country in the level of facilities offered and in the high specification of the building. The design and lay-out of the facilities are in keeping with Health Service Executive guidelines.
The Sonas Care Centre Athlone, which is subvented, caters for respite, convalescent, long-term care and daycare. A team of registered nurses and care assistants will provide twenty four hour nursing care. The private and semi-private en-suite rooms are all comfortably furnished, with television, direct dial telephone, call system, self-adjustable heating. Ability equipment such as adjustable beds and chairs are provided.
"We are delighted to announce the opening of our new Care Centre in Athlone, which will offer a range of care services for elderly people. The Sonas Healthcare team is bringing its experience, skills and proven reputation to this new facility," said Sonas Chief Executive, Gerry Jordan.
"We are committed to providing professional care but we also take full cognisance of the needs of each individual. We are sensitive to the fact that many residents and their families go through a difficult period and our staff at Sonas Care Centres strive to promote an environment which enables residents to maintain their independence.
"Taking into account the particular needs of every resident, we aim to create a home-from-home type environment for each person.
Mr Jordan said that where once elderly relatives used to move in with other members of their families during retirement, this is now less common. Better standards of living and improve healthcare facilities mean people are living longer and suitable accommodation for the elderly is in high demand.
The Care Centre also provides fully independent accommodation requirements with property security and maintenance in the form of 16 independent living units, which are now availablele for rent. Residents of these units can avail of all the grant-aided supports available to elderly people living in their own homes.
The Sonas Care team is led by Director of Care, Siobhan Bell who has more than twenty years of experience in this sector.
Sonas Healthcare also operates a number of childcare crèches around the country, including its Busy Kids crèche at Cloghanboy, Athlone.
The company's new headquarters is also based in Athlone, and these offices combined with the Sonas Care Centre and the Busy Kids crèche, will employ up to a hundred people.
"Providing employment for local people is also important to us - and
Services at Sonas Care Centre Athlone include
- Medical Care
- Catering for Special Diets
- Physiotherapy
- Chiropody
- Hairdressing
- Aromatherapy, Reflexology
- Occupational Therapy
- Flexible visiting hours
- Shopping and social outings arranged
- Social Activities
Facilities at Sonas Care Centre include
- TV Lounge (non-smoking)
- Smoking Room (with air conditioning)
- Whirlpool Spa Baths
- Sensory Gardens and Sun Terraces
- Assisted Toilets and Bathrooms
- Laundry Services
