Donation to Portlaoise hospital to help care for dementia patients

The Friends of Portlaoise Hospital has made a donation of a range of activity resources to the Dementia and Older Persons Service at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

The resources will support patients living with dementia and cognitive decline by providing familiar music, sensory engagement, conversation prompts and simple hobbies, helping to create a calmer and more reassuring ward environment.

The donation from Laois group includes busy boards to provide sensory stimulation and support fine motor skills, helping to reduce restlessness and anxiety. Also included are interactive marble maze games which will encourage focus, coordination and gentle cognitive engagement through problem-solving and hand-eye movement.

Memory activity books have also been provided which stimulate memory recall, conversation and mental engagement in a calm, enjoyable way. Portlaoise hospital has also received calming colouring books and crayons to promote relaxation, creativity and stress reduction while supporting concentration. CONTINUE READING BELOW PHOTO

Some of the activity resources donated to the Dementia and Older Persons Service at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

Large print crossword puzzles will offer accessible cognitive stimulation, encouraging word recall and confidence through achievable tasks. Reading magnifiers will support independence by helping patients read books, letters, activity sheets and personal items more easily. Paintbrushes and twistables will enable creative expression and sensory engagement.

Meanwhile vintage-style rechargeable radios will provide familiar music and radio programmes that can spark memories, comfort and meaningful conversation.

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Smitha Joy, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Dementia Care, said: “A huge thank you to the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital for your generous donation towards Meaningful Activities for people living with dementia/cognitive decline in the MRHP. These donations help us provide familiar music, conversation materials, sensory items and simple hobbies that make the ward feel safer and more personal for patients. By keeping people engaged and reassured, these activities can reduce agitation, confusion and distress, and support calmer, more comfortable hospital stays. They also help patients maintain a sense of identity and dignity at a very vulnerable time. Your support makes these small but powerful moments of connection possible every day.”

Smitha Joy - Clinical Nurse Specialist in Dementia Care, Gail Flynn - Advanced Nurse Practitioner for Older People, Róisín Jackman - Senior Occupational Therapist, Ann Reams- Friends of Portlaoise Hospital and Fiona Moore - Advanced nurse practitioner for older people

Áine Reams, Treasurer of the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital, said: “We are proud to support the Dementia and Older Persons Service with resources that bring comfort, familiarity and dignity to patients. Seeing the positive impact that these items will have on patients makes it all worthwhile. This is only possible thanks to the ongoing generosity of our local community.
“Every fundraiser, every donation, and every act of support helps us continue enhancing patient care at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.”