Spotlight on Our Caru Groups
Caru Launch in St. Johns Hospital, CHO1
Our Regional Lead, Clodagh McGuinness, attended a wonderful Caru Launch in St. Johns Hospital in August. It was attended by residents, their families, and the staff. The Caru team here set up an amazing afternoon and arranged for ADON Linda Hannon and Clodagh to speak at the event, as well as some of the Caru team. Residents and their families spoke to Clodagh about advance care planning and end-of-life wishes with the day finishing with a lovely afternoon tea for everyone who attended. Well done to the St. John’s Caru leads!
Incredible Team Work at Sonas Nursing Home, Enniscrone
Regional Lead for CHO1, Clodagh McGuinness, paid a visit to Sonas Nursing Home, Enniscrone, over the summer and was in awe of the transformation of the foyer since her last visit.
As you can see from the pictures, their Activities Co-ordinator, Elaine Armstrong, hand-painted the most beautiful mural on the wall to promote the Caru Programme.
The angel is carrying a picture of the most recent resident death in the nursing home, and includes pictures of the Caru Leads. They also have a beautiful memorial table where staff, residents, and their families can place thoughts about the resident into the Thoughts Jar.
Clodagh said:
"It was wonderful to see such a team effort in embedding the Caru Programme into the organisation. Well done, to Christine Cronin (DON) and all the Caru Group."
Huge Thank You to Abbot Close Care Centre!
Well done, to the team at Abbot Close Care Centre who took part in Irish Hospice Foundation’s, 100 Miles in October challenge.
Together, they raised funds to support the important work of IHF, including our Caru Programme, and services such as our Bereavement Support Line and Nurses for Night Care. Their dedication and encouragement of one another helped them complete the challenge with fantastic results!
This challenge will return in March 2026. However, you can join IHF for their Never Forgotten Night Walk on Friday 28th November. This special event offers a meaningful way to remember loved ones we’ve lost and show support for all those who are grieving across Ireland. You can walk, jog, or run 5km—wherever you are in the country to help raise vital funds and awareness for IHF.
To register your team for the Never Forgotten Night Walk or learn more about IHF’s fundraising events and how you and your friends and family can get involved, please contact mairead.tully@hospicefoundation.ie.
Celebrating Nursing Homes Week
Our Regional Lead, Janet Tobin-Martin, had the pleasure of connecting with several Caru Leads and Caru Groups from Signacare Killerig, Wyram Co. Wexford, and Hillview Nursing Homes, across the CHO5 region to celebrate Nursing Homes Week, in August of this year.
This year’s theme was, “A Taste of Home – Where Every Dish Tells a Story”, and reminded us that when a resident shares a favourite recipe, they’re sharing a part of their life. Nursing Homes Week is all about recognising these stories and the incredible people behind them.
Palliative Care Week at Peamount Healthcare
On Thursday, 9th September, the Peamount Caru Group facilitated a stand in their organisation marking Palliative Care Week 2025.
They used the opportunity to promote the Caru Programme, and how their learnings promote palliative, end-of-life, and bereavement care within their organisation.
Caru is currently facilitating Workshops in the Education Centre in Peamount Healthcare, including staff from Peamount Healthcare and surrounding nursing homes.
The Four Ferns Nursing Home launch Caru Programme
The Four Ferns Nursing Home launched the Caru Programme in September to coincide with Palliative Care Week.
Regional Lead, Mary Ferns, gave a presentation on advance care planning to staff and family members, and held a very engaging discussion regarding conversations that help to ensure residents’ healthcare wishes are known, respected, and honoured.