A little History…
It is believed in Nordic mythology, that a goddess once existed on a hill, with power derived from the very universe itself. And with her abilities, she was able to heal the sick, repair the injured, rejuvenate the elderly, and even give life through birth. This goddess was named Eir.
Today, Eir is a privately held foundation, operated under the Health act to aid in addressing the issues of the elderly. Since its beginning in 1993, Eir has grown to include several facilities, which provide high quality care for residents, while allowing them the freedom to be themselves and enjoy life.
Eir was formed, as the number of those needing care later in life, continued to grow. A group consisting of sr. Sigurður Helgi Guðmundsson, Halldór Guðmundsson, and Bjarni Frímannsson, an architect and engineer, first proposed a retirement home in Grafarvogur. Meanwhile, elderly in the capital of Reykjavík, took action, and initiated a proposal to have a retirement home on the current location of Eir. With the nursing and care services in place by 1990, followed by the non-profit organization officially founded on August 31, 1990, preparations began to implement operations.
Then, on August 1, 1992, Birna Svavarsdóttir was appointed Director of Nursing for Eir, with Sigurbjörn Björnsson later appointed as Director of Medical, and sr. Sigurdur Helgi Guðmundsson, as CEO. The next year, in 1993, Eir was officially opened, though its first full year of complete operations was 1996.
On December 1, 2001, the organization expanded, acquiring 37 apartments, and a residential home for 9 residents, which is known at the Eir Holt Community. Two years later on January 2, 2003, Eir added Eir-B, with 40 secure care resident apartments. Later, in early 2004, Eir grew again with the addition of a day care center for 24 patients, to provide better service.
In 2011, Sigurður Helgi Guðmundsson retired as CEO, with Sigurður Rúnar Sigurjónsson taking over in early 2012.
Today, Eir has roughly 345 employees in 220 positions serving 173 nursing units, and providing care for over 450 people per year. And Eir’s security apartments house over 500 more.
FOUNDERS & ASSOCIATES
- City of Reykjavík
- Commercial Workers’ Union of Reykjavík
- Seltjarnarnes town
- Icelandic organization of the visually impaired
- FAAS, Club of enthusiasts and relatives of Alzheimer patients and other illnesses
- BIOVI, Seaman’s Day of Reykjavík and Hafnarfjörður
- Skjól, Tendence and Nursing home care
- Brynja, The Organization of Disabled in Iceland
- Efling union
- SÍBS, The Icelandic Association of Tuberculosis and Chest Patients
- Mosfellsbær town
USEFUL LINKS
Tryggingastofnun
Embætti Landlæknis
Færni- og heilsumatsnefndir
Sjúkratryggingar Íslands
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