Ireland’s 390,000 family carers supported by charity partners to make caring visible

National Carers Week, June 8 to 14

Ireland’s family carers are this week being encouraged to participate in events in the first ever virtual National Carers Week, which is taking place online until June 14.

All events this year are online and virtual, and include Twitter chats, online quizzes, virtual yoga, bingo, messages from charity leaders and celebrities, and launches of new online resources for family carers.

Recent research points to the challenges experienced by many family carers as they grapple with the withdrawal of support services as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Family carers are, however, demonstrating resilience.

Dympna Tully, from Roscommon, who cares for her father, said: “Almost to the day 10 years ago I took on the role of Daddy’s full time carer, I was lucky to have Mammy’s guidance for them first few weeks before she started to get very ill but before I had a chance to adjust Mammy passed and it was just me and Daddy. My life at 26 years of age changed over night.

“I can hold my head high and feel super proud of myself for all them sacrifices I made while a lot would have given up by now and I’m pretty sure Mammy is super proud up there.”

Liam O’Sullivan, executive director, Care Alliance Ireland, says carer visibility is vital if we as a community are to recognise and appreciate the care that family carers provide: “Covid-19 has shown how reliant we are on families to care for people with disabilities and ageing relatives.

“As the lockdown measures are relaxed, family carers can hold their heads high and be proud of their efforts and resilience.

“We now need to prioritise supporting them through more accessible home care and other essential supports that enable them to continue to care.

“This National Carers Week we are encouraging everyone across the country to help Make Care Visible and to show their appreciation for the work of family carers.”

Details of the events taking place throughout National Carers Week are available at http://www.carersweek.ie/events?county=ONLINE#searchresults

For more figures and data on family carers in Ireland see https://www.carealliance.ie/userfiles/files/Infographic%20Family%20caring%20in%202020%20Final.pdf