Just below the iconic tower of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in the centre of Clondalkin, a suburb of Dublin, is the Clondalkin Lodge care home. The brand-new building for 150 residents has only just been completed. Aedifica invested in a care property that is not only energy-efficient and sustainable, but was also specifically designed to promote the wellbeing of its residents. The result has been so successful that people who were only staying temporarily did not want to leave.
It is lovely to see how we can write a new chapter for and with the local community in this historic location.
Henry Roe
Property Manager
We visit Clondalkin Lodge with Henry Roe, Property Manager for Aedifica’s portfolio in Ireland. He explains the unique history of the building: ‘The new building actually rests on the foundations of a former convent, which together with the church formed a single complex. So we are actually combining 18th and 21st century craftsmanship. It is wonderful to see how we can write a new chapter for and with the local community at this place with such a rich history.’
Despite its historic surroundings, the care home is state of the art. The building is highly compact and energy-efficient thanks to its thoroughly insulated envelope. In addition, investments were made in a combined heat and power system that reduces energy consumption. When we enter the care property and meet the people who live and work there, it quickly becomes clear that sustainability and comfort go hand in hand here.
Cocooning under the church tower
‘I am a really unexciting, seeking the mud type of person, you know,’ is how 85-year-old ex-accountant William Hankard describes himself. But Dairai Chirimumimba, the care home’s site manager, corrects him: ‘He is clever and sharp and a chatty companion.’ William has been retired for 19 years, but after three near-death experiences he is still very much alive. ‘With a bonus of over nine years compared to the average age, I have benefited greatly from my retirement plan,’ the evergreen accountant in him laughs.
William is an expert when it comes to the quality of care homes. He has already lived in several, so he is in a good position to compare them: both the first and second care homes he lived in had safety issues that forced him to leave. That is how he ended up at Clondalkin Lodge.
Everything here is new, he feels safe and is living a carefree life. He cannot even name one thing wrong with this building. Except maybe that his room is a bit too small for his writing hobby. William loves to spread countless sheets of paper out in his room, cut out and paste illustrations, have copies made and then bind his self-assembled books. This artisan writer and publisher pens reflections on the rosary for his fellow residents, inspired by Padre Pio.
‘I have no worries here. This is a wonderful place where I can cocoon and do my own thing. I love to meet friends in the cosy corner by the lounge, in the restaurant or in the salon, where I also enjoy watching TV.’
Minimum costs, maximum quality of life
The care staff have also settled in well and are very happy with the clever layout of the care home. The building has spacious nursing stations, plenty of storage space and wide corridors for manoeuvring. In addition, each floor has its own distinct colour so that residents can easily find their way around. ‘Clondalkin is a wonderful place to work,’ says Dairai. ‘What’s more, our landlord is a reliable partner who is always available. That gives me peace of mind.’
Dairai emphasises that the technological applications integrated into the building make life easier for the care providers: ‘There has been a lot of investment in technology and fortunately it has not resulted in systems that are difficult for our residents and staff to use.’
She also explains that the technology allows the operator to save costs. ‘It has been well thought out: minimum costs and maximum quality of life.’
For Dairai, the wellbeing of the residents remains a top priority, and she has an anecdote to share before we leave. ‘Catherine recently came to Clondalkin Lodge for a temporary stay because the building she was living in at the time was being renovated. However, she did not want to return after the renovation because she felt so at home here.’
