Village gives people with dementia their freedom in safety... Brennans help fit out houses in charity project
Carebright has set about creating a familiar environment for residents to lead as normal a life as possible.
The four-acre site includes a sensory garden, gym and spa, hair salon, cafe, meeting rooms and offices – and the Brennans lose no time blagging free furniture and appliances to complete it. Mary Rooney, whose husband Thomas was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s seven years ago, added: “He’s still my husband, I still love him.
“But he’s not the same man I married. He doesn’t recognise me, he doesn’t recognise the kids any more and that is hard.”
Single mum Cathy Ryan, 57, was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s The Carebright facility for patients The sensory garden three years ago and is looking forward to taking up residence in the Bruff community.
She said: “I was losing words and forgetting people’s names so I knew something was wrong. As a mum it makes it even harder because I know what this will do to my two boys.
“I think it’s very exciting to see Bruff developing because there are many like me who don’t have partners.
“I am still a mum, a sister, an aunt. Alzheimer’s is only one tiny bit of my life. It will progress I’m aware, but I won’t let it until I have to. I am still Cathy.”
At Your Service To The Rescue airs on Thursday, December 28, on RTE One at 9.30pm.
sylvia.pownall@irishmirror.ie