Nursing Home Awards

Sacred Heart Nursing Home, Crosspatrick, Johnstown, has won an award in the first annual Nursing Homes Ireland Care Awards. The awards are designed to recognise and reward the contributions made by those staying in and those working in nursing homes.
Eleanor Norton of Graiguewood, Urlingford, Co. Tipperary was awarded the Nursing Home Ancillary Worker Award. President of Ireland Mary McAleese presented Eleanor with her award on the Thursday the 11th of November in the city west hotel in Dublin.
As well as valuing and acknowledging the highly skilled and dedicated individuals who work closest to our older persons in rewarding, albeit demanding, challenging and specialised work, the awards also celebrate the achievements of residents and how well the nursing home integrates into its surrounding community.

Eleanor was honoured with this award to acknowledge her dedication to the residents in the Sacred Heart Nursing Home in Crosspatrick, Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny. Eleanor won the award under the category of Ancillary care worker award. Eleanor works in the Sacred Heart Nursing Home as a part time cook for the evening teas, a gardener and a cleaner. Eleanor received this award for the many great contributions she has made to residents lives. She is always bringing a smile to everyone’s face with her cheery, homely personality. She is often seen in the gardens with a resident assisting her as she works. She has often brought residents out for day trips including visits to her own farm and trips to town. As Eleanor continues to also work part time as a farmer she and the residents enjoy many a chat about farming life. There are many parties in the Nursing Home of which Eleanor plays a big part, from baking to dancing with the residents. Everyday Eleanor will always ensure that each resident has whatever choice they wish for their tea and always checks with everyone to make sure they enjoyed there meal. It brings great joy to her when the residents are happy with her cooking. She always makes a point of saying hello and goodbye to everyone and chats to the residents long past her duty. She has often given everyone a laugh with her display of gymnastics during one of the activity sessions with the occupational therapist. Eleanor wishes to dedicate this award to the residents in the Sacred Nursing Home who are very excited about the award. Eleanor was nominated for this award last July by the residents committee, who meet monthly in the Nursing Home. The award was open to all workers in Nursing home Ireland registered nursing homes and is a huge achievement for Eleanor and indeed for the Sacred Heart Nursing Home, who are very proud of Eleanor’s achievement.