Monday June 09 2014 11:00 AM

Thousands of Family Carers take part in 8th National Carers Week June 9th - 15th

Family Carers will have the opportunity to take part in more than one hundred and fifty events across the country this week as the 8th National Carers Week (June 9th- 15th), is launched in Dublin by Nuala Carey. The week enables carers to take a day for themselves and participate in events such as pamper days, informative gatherings, live entertainment and local attraction open days.

82% of Family Carers are impacted by cuts in supports. Cuts to the respite grant, changes to medical card provision and other cutbacks are having a significant impact on family carers of people with neurological conditions according to a nationwide survey published recently by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland in association with Care Alliance Ireland. 

In the survey of over 170 family carers, 82% reported being impacted by cuts to home care packages over the past three years, 77% by cuts to respite services and 70% by cuts to home help. Over one fifth of carers could not access respite at all. 

42% of family carers had given up work to look after the person with a neurological condition while 64% reported a significant fall in family income since the onset of the condition. 

Speaking about the findings, Executive Director of Care Alliance Liam O Sullivan noted “It is clear from this survey that successive cuts to supports for family carers are creating a climate of worry, uncertainty and distress. This is very disappointing in the light of the publication of the National Carers Strategy in 2012 which commits to valuing the role of family carers in Ireland”. 

We know from previous surveys that other family members remain the most important source of support for Family Carers; showing how they make up the slack as supports from the state reduce further.

Supporting the week again this year, well known TV presenter Nuala Carey said; “I know all too well how important Family Carers are, particularly in enabling people to continue to live at home. The week is a fantastic celebration of the contribution Family Carers make to our loved ones’ lives and it’s an opportunity for us all to do something extra special for Family Carers in our community.” 

Care Alliance Ireland, which is responsible for coordinating the week, says that every person in the country has a chance this week to acknowledge the contribution of Irelands 187,000 Family Carers. 

“This week we should focus on doing something for those that contribute so much to Irish society. Whether you just call in, make them a meal, offer your help and support or if they are far away give them a call to say ‘you are doing something really important’, there is a huge value in simply saying ‘thank-you’,” says Liam O’Sullivan, Executive Director, Care Alliance Ireland.

National Carers Week, now in its eighth year, is coordinated by Care Alliance Ireland in partnership with nine other leading Irish charities who support family carers: The Alzheimer Society, The Carers Association, Caring for Carers, The Irish Cancer Society, The Disability Federation, MS Ireland, The Parkinson’s Association, Bri, and The Irish Hospice Foundation.