After researching the Household model in the US, we established a new level of care that puts the needs of the people who live here to the fore. This award winning and pioneering overhaul to the structure and culture of more traditional styles of care has removed the 'hospital model' while still maintaining our excellent standards and professional practice.

Our Household Model of care breaks down the traditional facility into households, each with their own front door for privacy, kitchen managed by a “home-maker and 'household co-ordinator', supervised by the nurse on duty 24/7, comfortable dining rooms, living rooms, private back gardens and plenty of extra spaces. Gone are the institutional ward type buildings and practices.

Our staff wear regular clothes. The households are furnished in comfortable homely décor, cosy sofas, and personal belongings. Our households smell like home, look like home and most importantly feel like home.
Everyone who lives here has the freedom to choose how their day goes; when to wash, when to get up, when to eat and how to spend their day.

Household life is “normal," yet full of new experiences and stimulating activities.

No two homes are ever the same and you will find the same rule of thumb at Castleross.
Within each of the houses there is a team of dedicated staff who have their own shift patterns, meal times and ways of doing things, all of which are driven by the specific needs of the people who live there.
There are four main houses: Broomfield House, Creevy House, Killanny House and Lisdoonan House, for Dementia and Alzheimer's care. Each house has their own front door and the people who live here have access to the following:

• Comfortable sized bedrooms, most with ensuite facilities
• Walk in showers in most rooms
• Cosy dining, lounge and quiet areas
• Specialist bathing and shower facilities
• Televisions in all rooms
• Individual room direct dialling
• Under floor heating with individual controls
• Single storey with easy access
• Dedicated oratory
• Internal and external landscaped courtyards
• Coffee shop
• Hair Dresser
• St Francis Way- a wheelchair accessible, 1 km walk way.

Day to day life at Castleross is all about the people who live here. There are many activities to join in with, ranging from playing cards to arts and crafts to armchair aerobics. We also hold regular parties for special occasions where we encourage all of our residents, family and friends to get involved.

Our activity programme ensures there is an interesting and ever-changing choice of things to do. We try to take people's own interests and hobbies into consideration so all information provided about background, likes and dislikes will help us to ensure there is something for everyone.

Many of our activities are designed to encourage new friendships between the people who live here and staff. It is also a great opportunity to learn new things whilst enjoying time with others. Our activities include:

• Coffee shop serving teas, coffees, ice-cream, etc.
• New internal walk-way covering 9-acre site, hard surfaces and wheelchair accessible.
• Picnic area and large gardens.
• Raised garden planters and potting plants.
• Social and recreational activities - eg. arts & crafts, Christmas party with Santa's grotto, pumpkin carving and musical evenings.
• Therapeutic care programmes including reminiscence therapy and reflexology.
• Social outings to nearby attractions and places of interest in Castleross minibus.
• Areas to quietly read a book, magazine or chat on the phone.
• Areas to quietly reflect and relax.

Local Community & External Activities

We organise occasional day trips for people living here and will assist family members where possible in external activities outside of these arrangements. Transition year students from local schools take part in arts & crafts and special programmes.

Maintaining a sense of their own independence allows people to come and live at Castleross.

Mary is 89 years old and she begins her day at 11 am every morning. As Mary enjoys a late breakfast, she may only feel like a light bite at lunch time. In the evening she will have her dinner, all of which is prepared by the house's homemaker. Mary's day suits Mary and it can happen as she wishes it because that is our culture at Castleross.

It is important to us that Mary has control over her day and a level of independence that she is comfortable with. We understand that the loss of independence is a major cause of anxiety and something many people in a nursing home and their families struggle with. Mary's room is decorated with her belongings, her pictures and photographs adorn her walls. This is Mary's room, full of her things, just the way she likes it and we would have it no other way. Take a look yourself, just scroll to the top of the page.

At Castleross we encourage the people who live here to exercise the same level of independence they have always had. We nurture a culture of respect for the dignity and individuality of each person who lives here.