St. Joseph's Hospital

St. Joseph’s Hospital is a long-stay residential care home in Trim, Co Meath. Four days a week, up to 15 hospital residents are collected by the Third Age Bus and brought to the centre to participate in activities, programmes and social events. Some residents have also taken part in public lobbying including the Older and Bolder campaign.
The uniqueness of the St Joseph’s Hospital project lies in the fact that long-stay residents leave the nursing home environment and return to the heart of the community. Many become members of Third Age, an additional step of integration.
Third Age offers these residents choice and variety in their day and interaction with a wider social circle than is their norm. The feedback is positive from residents and carers alike. Residents find their confidence and self-esteem is boosted through Third Age membership, and many mention increased autonomy and independence through taking part in activities in the public sphere. Hospital staff and carers also remark on the improved health and well-being of the residents well enough to come to Third Age. Our relationship with St Joseph’s Hospital underpins the Third Age core philosophy of social inclusion.

Click here to watch an interview on TV3's 'The Morning Show' with Romie Gibbons who is a resident in St Joseph's and who regularly takes part in Third Age activities.