Frequently asked questions in relation to St. Joseph’s House
When was the home opened?1965 Is it private or state run?
Private, but not for profit and is co-funded by state capital grant aid Do clients have to pay?
At St. Joseph's House the 'rent' for residents is max 75 euro (depending on the individual’s means) per week Do you have any voluntary body, e.g. a "Friends of St. Josephs"?
We presently do not have an active voluntary support body, but can obtain additional support and funds from our umbrella organisation 'Catholic Institute for Deaf People' Is it non-denominational?
We are non-denominational, although our residents are predominantly Roman Catholics Is it full time residential - long stay?
Yes, but we also offer short-term respite care Do you run a day centre?
Presently only for residents, but it is our intention to develop an outreach service for Deafblind people How many clients do you cater for, and do you operate a waiting list?
We have 35 residents at present and this may increase with building adaptations. Yes, there is a waiting list, which is an on-going process of assessment on the basis of need What is the age group of clients?
Presently our youngest resident is 30 years old, but the mean average age is over 50 (our oldest is 94 years) What is your catchment area?
The whole of the Republic of Ireland, occasionally elderly Deaf people living abroad who wish to return to Ireland How many buildings does the home comprise of?
Five inter-linked buildings and one bungalow, comprising of: three residential, one Deafblind library/Deafblind technology office; one daily activity centre. The bungalow is currently being used as a Deafblind education centre at present What services are available?
We have a Braille and Moon printing service specifically for Irish Deaf with acquired-blindness, and a support group/service for Deaf people going blind Do you have a medical officer, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, etc.?
We have a contracted Medical Officer, Nursing staff (4+4 hour shifts per day), visiting chiropodist, Access to Health Board Occupational Therapy consultancy, Annual Ophthalmic examinations and have made application for a similar on-going Physiotherapy service. Mental health support, and Psychiatric assessment are also key elements to certain individual's care and are constantly monitored Do you carry out swimming or other exercise programmes?
We have weekly swimming group, specialised exercise group for the elderly, and extensive grounds that residents are encouraged daily to utilise Do you utilise any alternative therapies?
We have a reflexologist on staff, and all our residents have regular sessions of reflexology and massage What are your staffing levels like for day duty, night duty, etc?
Not including Chef, kitchen staff, laundry, cleaning staff and administration, the care-staff comprise of the following levels:
8 am- 4 pm 3x care assistants
10 am- 5.30 pm Nurse & nurses aid (10 am - 2pm), 1x daily activation (Activities coordinator) organiser, 2x additional part-time assistants for activities
2 pm - 9 pm Change of 2x care assistants
5 pm - 9.30 pm Nurse, change of 3 care assistants
9 pm-9am
3x Wake-night care assistants
What skills are taught?
Some residents work in supported employment, and we have presently a literacy programme in place. We teach Braille and Moon, and provide daily printed news (Braille & Moon) Do you work with guide dogs?
Assistant dogs for Deaf persons are not yet available in the Republic. Guide dogs are used, where a person has residual sight or vision, but has yet to be be incorporated in our present Irish provision.
