One of the country's first dementia specific day care centres is marking its 25th birthday with a series of celebrations today.
The Birches Alzheimer Day Care Centre in Dundalk has been providing a wide range of services to people from the north Louth area living with dementia for the past quarter of a century.
The centre, located at the rear of the Louth County Hospital in Dundalk, was founded by the north Louth Branch of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland in the year 2000.
A silver jubilee tea party will be held at the centre today to mark the milestone.
Alongside the provision of care on a five-day basis at the centre, the branch provides a wide range of other services under the umbrella of The Birches.
These include an outreach programme at The Birches, Rathabbey in Cooley once a week and a care service at the home of its clients in the Dundalk and Cooley areas every week.
The branch also offers a number of support services including a social club, a young/early onset dementia activity club and a family support group.
In addition, the branch provides telephone support for those with loved ones on the waiting list to access The Birches.
Nurse Manager at The Birches Alzheimer Day Care Centre in Dundalk, Olive Joyce said today marks a significant milestone for both the committee and also the branch as a whole.
Ms Joyce said: "Thank you to everyone who has helped us walk the road with those who have dementia in our community over the past 25 years - without your support it would not have been possible.
"So, call in and have a cuppa as we remember and walk forward to the next 25 years.
"As with so many voluntary and community groups around the country we need more volunteers! So please get in touch if you'd like to help us," she added.
