Kathleen Dunleavy is the epitome of positive ageing! She truly is a formidable lady who enjoys life and relishes her role in Esker Lodge. Kathleen cocooned during the Covid ‘19 Pandemic as advised but has recently returned to what she describes as her ‘Golf’. The Residents were delighted to welcome Kathleen back. For over seventeen years Kathleen has provided Social Interaction and Recreational activities to Residents at Esker Lodge.
Kathleen joined the activities team in 2004 having completed Chair based exercises for the Older Person with Extend Ireland. Knowing the importance of Physical Activity, she has facilitated various groups over the years. She also completed training to become a CarePal (Physical activity leader in a Care Setting) with the organisation Age and Opportunity.
Within her role, Kathleen also provides wonderful Reminiscence groups to Residents where she shares a wealth of local and national knowledge with them. Every Thursday, Kathleen scours the Anglo Celt for local news that she knows might be interesting for individual Residents. Some lively discussion groups occur around the table where they analyse the local news – good, bad and scandalous.
Kathleen also provides assistance at Religious services to ensure Residents access and fulfil their Spiritual needs.
Cards club with Kathleen Dunleavy
When we started a Cards Club to provide recreational games for the Men in our care, Kathleen rolled up her sleeves yet again and got players interested in joining. Some men were reluctant to join as it had been years since they played. With a little one to one practice first, Kathleen was then able to coax them to join the group. The Cards club is now one of our fixed activities on the Social Programme.
While cocooning at home and not content to relax, Kathleen wrote weekly letters to the Residents that could be read out to everyone. Residents really looked forward to her humorous musings and she continued to put a smile on our faces through the most challenging of times.
Naturally, we were delighted when the time came that Kathleen could safely return. With some adaptations to the running of group activities and with her ‘can do’ attitude Kathleen is once again part of the team at Esker Lodge.
We celebrate Kathleen for her successes over the years and we wish her many congratulations on reaching this wonderful milestone in her life!
