Mount Tabor, named after the mountain in Gallilee, Israel, is an Alzheimer's care nursing home in Sandymount. In the reception area is a collage made up of stones, corn, mosses and pinecones, collected from Mount Tabor during a pilgrimage, to provide a tangible connection with the mountain.

This 45-bed unit was opened 10 years ago and recently launched the 'Friends of Mount Tabor'. Jane Butler, pictured above with Charlie Bird and three of the residents, is an experienced nurse and is Director of Care. Jane brought the idea for the Friends from a previous nursing home where she worked, saying “at the same time, co-incidentally, we were given a very large donation. So we had to go ahead.”

The launch took place on 24th October, when Charlie Bird visited. Anyone can become a Friend and support the tremendous work of Mount Tabor. All proceeds are spent on directly enhancing the life of the residents with non-medical equipment and services, such as an art teacher, musician or entertainer for the day, or a new TV and DVD player just installed. Friends' money goes directly to the patients and donors can see the benefits. Mount Tabor stands facing Sandymount Green beside a small chapel. Dublin Central Mission which runs Mount Tabor belongs to The Methodists.

The nursing home is non-denominational and caters for people on the basis of 'Need not Creed'. Dementia is an illness which mainly manifests itself as shortterm memory loss. Unfortunately it progresses to become severe when the patient will need fulltime care. Jane's team of 12 nurses come from all over the world. They are all registered nurses, and receive extra training in elderly and dementia care. Jane could not do it without them, and has been warmly thanked by relatives for the caring nature of the treatment, including palliative care. Jane takes a special interest in end-of-life care and sees it as a special time.

Relatives are welcomed and are encouraged to provide a life story of the patient as it is better for the staff to know the person. It is helpful to know some details about the person to promote conversation and jog the memory. It can have a calming effect on the patient frustrated by the loss of their short-term memory. There is a full programme of activities including indoor bowls on a Thursday, which is hotly contested. “We have to have the measuring tape out,” Jane said. A Diversional Therapy nurse comes in three days.

“She does the SONAS Programme, which is designed specifically for Dementia patients. This is stimulating the senses through music, touch, sound and smell.” Future plans made possible by the Friends of Mount Tabor include extending the lounge of the Special Care Unit. Jane told me that the Sensory Garden also needs to be redesigned. A Sensory Garden is therapeutic by stimulating memory through the senses. “You have colour, touch and smell in these flowers.”