Athlone memory loss social club provides "lifeline" for families

The benefits of social interaction for all age groups are well documented, but nowhere is this more important than among those who are suffering from conditions leading to memory loss.

Athlone resident, Eileen Kenny, is at the forefront of a very important initiative which has been providing a lifeline to people affected by memory loss and their families in the greater Athlone area.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, with which Eileen first became involved in 2007 as a home care assistant, currently operates two social clubs and two support groups in Westmeath, based in Athlone and Mullingar.

The Athlone Social Club meets every second Wednesday from 11am to 1pm in St Mary's Hall, Northgate Street, while the Athlone Support Group meets on the last Tuesday of every month from 7pm to 8pm in the same venue.

Eileen Kenny, who lives in Retreat Park, runs the Athlone Alzheimer Social Club, of which is is a passionate advocate.

“I have been told on numerous occasions, particularly by family members of those suffering with memory loss that it has literally given them their life back,” she admits.

Having worked closely with families of Alzheimer’s patients for many years in her role as a home care assistant, Eileen is no stranger to the daily challenges faced by those who are cast into the role of caring for a loved one who is diagnosed with memory loss.

“It impacts every aspect of life for a family, and most especially for those closest to the patient, such as a husband, wife or partner,” she says.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland has been very proactive in setting up support groups and social clubs around the country to try to provide meaningful engagement with those who suffer from memory loss and their families.

Eileen says the Athlone Social Club provides “a two hour respite” for patients and their families where they can temporarily set aside their worries and their fears and just enjoy being in the company of other families who are on the same journey with a loved one.

“We arrange various activities,” she says, “we would have singing, chatting, little games and we always try to keep the atmosphere light and fun-filled, so we would describe the club as being a happy place.”

While they have two to three couples attending their twice-monthly social club mornings, Eileen and her fellow voluteers are acutely aware that there are “many more” people in the greater Athlone community suffering with memory loss, and she would dearly love to encourage them to come along to either the social club or the support group, or indeed to attend both groups.

“Families can feel so lost and overwhelmed when a loved one is diagnosed with memory loss, but the message we are so desperately trying to get out there is that they are not alone, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland is there to help,” says Eileen.

She adds that any family who has ever attended the Athlone Social Club run by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland will freely admit that their lives have been “transformed very much for the better” by becoming involved with the group.

“It just gives them that two hours to look forward to when they can forget about the overwhelming job of caring and have a chat and a laugh,” she says, “and of course we are there to provide support and reassurance to them as well because there is a lot of worry and anxiety attached to a diagnosis of memory loss, and there is a lot of fear about what the future might hold.”

The Athlone Social Club run by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland used to meet in the local library, and only recently moved to St Mary's Hall, so Eileen Kenny is anxious to get the word out in the local community that they are still up and running.

“We currently have two volunteers in the Athlone club and five in Mullingar, but we would love to see more people becoming involved and we would like to reach out to any family who has a loved one suffering with memory loss to let them know they are not alone and we are always here with a listening ear,” she says.

Having trained as a nurse in St John of God's Hospital in Dublin, Eileen always enjoyed working in the caring professions, so she became involved with the local branch of the Alzheimer Society in 2007 and has been involved ever since.

When the society set up a social club in Athlone she took over the running of it, and says it give her “a lot of satisfaction” to see the difference it makes to the lives of those with memory loss and also their loved ones.

As well as offering support services and a social club to people with dementia and their families, the Alzheimer Society operates a Day Centre at Multyfarnham Friary, from where they also offer a Homecare & Daycare at Home service.

“Social interaction is so important for all of us, no matter what age or stage we are at in life,” says Eileen, “but it is crucial for those with memory loss and their loved ones, so I would appeal to anyone reading this who knows of any person in the Athlone area faced with a diagnosis of Alzheimers to get in touch.”