FAQ

Q: How do I go about selecting a nursing home that suits my relative or myself?

We recommend that you find out all you can about the nursing homes of interest to you, to see what might suit and to get an idea of what features you will be looking for in respect of your particular needs. We would encourage you to visit a number of homes, look around, ask questions and get a feel for the home. We at Parke House would be delighted to welcome you for a viewing of our home, this is a great opportunity to talk through the realities and process of nursing home selection. To arrange a viewing please contact the Bed Manager and we will be happy to arrange a mutually acceptable date and time.

It is important to find out about paying for or funding a nursing home stay.  This can be funded either under the State’s Nursing Home Support Scheme, commonly known as the “Fair Deal Scheme”; which will assist with the funding of a stay in your home of choice, or paid privately. Tax relief available in respect of qualifying nursing home expenses. We can have an initial meeting with you to discuss what is involved when you make your fair deal application and additional information can be found elsewhere on this website and on www.hse.ie and www.citizensinformation.ie.

Can we keep our own GP?

It is possible to keep your own GP if they are reasonably local to the Home and are happy to visit you in the Home as necessary. ?Alternatively, we have an arrangement with a local GP practice in to provide quality care and continuity of care.

Can I take my mother/father/relative out?

Residents are free to come and go as they please. We see how much our residents enjoy going out for family occasions and excursions but are always mindful of the fact that there can be limitations.

What are your visiting hours?

We do not prescribe specific visiting hours and visitors are always welcome.  Please bear in mind however that some times of the day, such as meal times, can be particularly busy.  Please call us if you are unsure about the timing of a visit and our staff will be happy to advise you.

What activities do you provide?

We have full and part-time Activity Co-ordinators. We offer a full schedule of entertainment, social therapies and activities, with something for everyone, to ensure that the day passes with engagement and enjoyment.

For those who are less able we provide 1:1 activity such as hand massage, aromatherapy or reading. Please refer to our Activities and Social Therapies page.

Do you provide hairdressing?

In the River Day Spa, we offer a wide range of hairdressing and beauty treatments. Please refer to our River Day Spa page.

Do you provide chiropody?

All residents with a medical card are entitled to 3 chiropodist visits within a 12-month period. We work with the designated HSE Chiropodist to ensure a frequency of this service which depends on availability. A private Chiropodist is also available upon request.

Is there a choice of food and do you cater for special diets?

Yes. Each resident has an individual care plan, which includes food choices and dietary needs. We work closely with the resident – and will also consult with family and friends – to find out their likes and dislikes. Residents can choose from several options at each mealtime and are asked today for tomorrow’s meal service. If they don’t like any of the options, we will always try to provide a suitable alternative.  Specific dietary requirements, including modified food for residents with chewing or swallowing problems, allergenic, diabetic and other requirements particular to a resident will be discussed and planned for on admission to the home and kept under review.

We work hard to ensure our menus are balanced and nutritious, and meals are produced on site using fresh ingredients every day.

Can we bring our own furniture?

Bedrooms are furnished with storage available for personal belongings. We welcome residents to bring small items from home to help them settle in and feel more at home. Please be aware that it may not be feasible to accommodate large items and that we always need to ensure that safety is not compromised and housekeeping can service the room.

Are pets allowed in our nursing home?

We appreciate the importance of pets to our ?residents and their families and have an external designated visiting area for pets, which is sheltered and has seating for visits.

Does a resident need their own money?

If it suits, we advise residents can and should have a small amount of money available to use for incidental costs or personal needs or wants, such as newspapers. We can also charge items to the resident’s account if directed to do so. We can hold a small amount of resident funds in our safe for their convenience.

What’s it like settling into a nursing home?

The move into a nursing home can cause a lot of anxiety for residents and their families.  Our experienced and compassionate staff will work with you along the way to make your transition as smooth as possible. Over the initial settling in period, we will build a picture of a resident’s needs, likes and dislikes and we will continue to develop our understanding of that resident’s preferences.  Many of our residents like to bring treasured small items from home such as pictures, ornaments and books to help them feel more at home.

Still have questions to ask?

Please contact the home you are considering and our staff will be happy to chat through any questions you may have. Better still, why not arrange a visit. Call our Bed Manager on 01-6103585.