Carers Week
Media Archive 2012
Press Release
April 17th - Family Carers Invited to Take Part in National Survey
187,000 Family Carers given Opportunity to share their Experience as part of National Carers Week 2013
As part of the 7th annual National Carers Week, which takes place from 10th-16th June, family carers are being given a chance to share their experience of caring for a loved one. Family carers are the unsung heroes in our local communities. This survey aims to highlight their needs and views.
The short survey, ‘Tell Us What It’s Like’ will capture peoples lived experiences of caring for a family member in Ireland today. As the cut to the respite care grant looms large, this survey will help family carers articulate the challenges, as well as the joys that caring presents.
Nuala Carey, who is supporting National Carers Week says; ‘I encouraging all carers out there to complete the survey – we want to hear your experiences of caring – the good the bad and the ugly.’
National Carers Week, is coordinated by Care Alliance Ireland in partnership with eight other leading Irish charities who support family carers: The Alzheimer Society, The Carers Association, Caring for Carers, The Parkinson Association, The Disability Federation, MS Ireland, Bri and The Irish Hospice Foundation.
Family carers can complete the two minute survey by visiting www.carersweek.ie
For further information contact: Liam O’Sullivan 087 207 3265 E-mail; ndo@carealliance.ie
Ends.
Notes to the Editor:
Family Carers are usually immediate relatives who provide very high levels of care, at home, for children and adults with severe disabilities, frail older people and people who are terminally ill.
The national launch of the week takes place in The Mansion House on Monday June 10th at 11am. Family carers will speak of their experiences, together with The Lord Major of Dublin, and Nuala Carey. Family Carers will be available at the Mansion House launch for interviews from 10.30am and throughout the week.
The 2009 Quarterly National Household Survey estimated there to be in the region of 274,000 Family Carers in Ireland. 187,000 people in the 2011 Census reported providing unpaid personal help provided for a friend or family member with a long-term illness, health problem or disability.
The survey asks the following questions;
- What are the best things about being a Family Carer? (Please list up to 3)
- What helpful advice would you give to others in a similar role as yourself?
- What have you learnt about yourself from your caring role?
- What are the most difficult things about being a Family Carer?(Please list up to 3)
- What or Who is your main source of support?
Link to the survey; http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FamilyCarersSurvey
For a list of the partners and the work they do see www.carersweek.ie
Care Alliance Ireland is leading in the co-ordination of the week. www.carealliance.ie
EBS is supporting the week.
For further information contact: Liam O’Sullivan 087 207 3265 ndo@carealliance.ie
2012
June 19th 2012
FAMILY CARERS CALL ON POLITICIANS TO SUPPORT PUBLICATION OF NATIONAL CARERS STRATEGY
Survey finds cutbacks have significant impact on carers and their loved ones
Politicians from all parties are being encouraged by carers today to sign a petition supporting the swift publication of the long awaited National Carers Strategy and for a timeframe for its implementation.
The call was made as a delegation of family carers and carers organisations prepared to give a briefing in the afternoon to Oireachtas members on the needs of the estimated 274,000 Irish adults who are providing some level of unpaid, family and informal care to loved ones. Family Carers are usually immediate relatives, who provide very high levels of care, at home, for children and adults with severe disabilities, frail older people and people who are at the end of life.
TDs and Senators were also asked to sign the pledge: "We support the timely publication of the National Carers Strategy in 2012 and a specific timeframe for its implementation”
The delegation released the findings of a survey undertaken in association with the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, conducted last month, which showed that most carers have been looking after a loved one for an average of eight years, provide care for over 100 hours a week and feel their health has suffered as a result of their caring. The survey also captured carer concerns about the impact of government cutbacks on them and their loved ones.
The survey found:
- 8.5 years was the average length of time the person was caring for a loved one
- 71.8% felt their health had suffered from being a carer
- 61.1% felt that government cutbacks had had a moderate or significant impact on the person they cared for
- 57.2% reported a significant or moderate impact of government cutbacks on them as carers
The survey found that the person requiring support needed significant help with the following tasks:
76.3% with travelling outside the home
66.3% with planning their day
60% with remembering to do everyday things
61.5% with spending time in the house on their own
“The survey found that six out of 10 people needed moderate to significant help with simple tasks such as washing and getting dressed. When asked about the most difficult things about caring, carers mentioned the isolation, lack of freedom and the impact of caring on family life and relationships. We further found that the most important source of support for them as carers is friends, family, specific voluntary organisations, home care support and access to respite care.” Says Liam O’Sullivan, Executive Director, of Care Alliance Ireland.
He continued: “The government has committed to producing the first ever National Carers Strategy and a draft has been prepared by the Department of Health. We would like to see this Strategy published along with a timeframe for its implementation as soon as possible. This is an issue that is supported by politicians across all parties.”
The survey was conducted by the Care Alliance in association with the Neurological Alliance of Ireland which is the national umbrella organisation for groups representing the views and concerns of those affected by neurological conditions.
Carer organisations are also looking for the regulation of home care services which they feel will raise standards and help protect vulnerable clients and give much needed reassurance to families. They are also seeking for Family Carers to access to a carers assessment process which would identify their needs, distribute information and advice, explore the difficulties that they may experience and develop contingency plans if they are ill or unable to continue to provide care.
The 6th National Carers Week celebrates and recognises the contribution of Ireland’s Family Carers with over 150 events nationally running from 18th to 24th June. National Carers week is co-ordinated by Care Alliance Ireland in partnership with eight other leading Irish charities who support family carers: The Alzheimer Society; the Carers Association; Caring for Carers; The Disability Federation; MS Ireland; Bri; Headway and the Irish Hospice Foundation.
- Ends –
For more information, please contact:
Liam O’Sullivan,
Lead, National Carers Week
Telephone: 087-2073265 or
ndo@carealliance.ie
Note to editor:
Photographs from a 10am photocall with Oireachtas members signing the pledge will be distributed to picture desks.
June 18th 2012
Thousands of Family Carers take part in 6th National Carers Week June 18th - 24th
61% of Carers Spend over 100 hours each week caring for loved ones.
Over one hundred and fifty events take place all over Ireland this week for Family Carers as the 6th National Carers Week (June 18th- 24th) is launched at the Mansion House by Andrew Montague, Lord Mayor of Dublin and Nuala Carey, RTE presenter.
The Lord Mayor will present an award to the National Carers Week school competition winner Katie Murphy from 4th Class. Scoil Mhuire na nGael, Dundalk and stated:
“We all have a role to play in caring for our carers. It is important that we recognise their vital role in holding our families and communities together. We must also understand the impact that caring itself can have on people and develop appropriate responses and policies.”
“I know all too well how important family carers are, enabling people to continue to live at home. The week is a fantastic celebration of the contribution 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,”
says Nuala Carey.
Care Alliance 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 274,000 family carers.
“This week we should focus on doing something for those that contribute so much to Irish Society whether that be to 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’ and simply say ‘Thank-you’,”
says Liam O’Sullivan, Executive Director, Care Alliance.
A survey undertaken in association with the Neurological Alliance of Ireland to be launched later in the week will show how Ireland’s Family Carers feel about caring in 2012. For instance, 72% say that their health has suffered due to their caring role.
National Carers Week, now in its sixth year, is co-ordinated by Care Alliance Ireland in partnership with eight other leading Irish charities who support family carers: The Alzheimer Society, The Carers Association, Caring for Carers, The Disability Federation, MS Ireland, Bri, Headway and The Irish Hospice Foundation.
For further information contact: Liam O’Sullivan 087 207 3265 E-mail; ndo@carealliance.ie
Ends.
Notes to the Editor:
Family Carers are usually immediate relatives who provide very high levels of care, at home, for children and adults with severe disabilities, frail older people and people who are terminally ill.
The national launch of the week takes place in The Mansion House on Monday June 18th at 11am. Family carers will speak of their experiences, together with The Lord Major of Dublin, Andrew Montague and Nuala Carey. Family Carers will be available at the Mansion House launch for interviews from 10.30am and throughout the week.
The 2009 Quarterly National Household Survey estimated there to be in the region of 274,000 Family Carers in Ireland.
The week also includes Awards for a National Schools Competition (Monday, at the National Launch), Carers Survey results and briefing in the Dáil (Wednesday), policy report on carers Assessments (Thursday) and Regional launches (Monday: Cork,Kilkenny)
A list of Carers Week Events nationally is available at www.carersweek.ie
Care Alliance Ireland is leading in the co-ordination of the week. www.carealliance.ie
For further information contact: Liam O’Sullivan 087 207 3265 ndo@carealliance.ie
PHOTOCALL
Family Carers enjoy Tour of National Gallery to celebrate launch of National Carers Week - Monday June 18th 10am
Advance Notice
Who: Amanda and Sam Norris (The Young Carers of the Year) and Ruth Cahill (Family Carer) with Gemma Sexton from The National Gallery
What: Family Carers enjoying a tour of the National Gallery of Ireland to celebrate the launch National Carers Week June 18th – 24th. The National Gallery is holding two tours for family carers on June 21st at 11am and 2pm.
When: Monday June 18th 10am
Where: The Irish Galleries, The National Gallery of Ireland,entrance via The Millenium Wing, Clare Street, Dublin 2
Time: 10.00am - 10.40am
Thousands of Family Carers take part in 6th National Carers Week June 18th - 24th
The 6th National Carers Week will celebrate and recognise the contribution of Ireland’s Family Carers with over 150 events throughout Ireland, from 18th to 24th June. National Carers Week 2012 will be launched at the Mansion House by Andrew Montague, Lord Mayor of Dublin and Nuala Carey, RTE presenter at 11am on Monday June 18th.
The 2009 Quarterly National Household Survey estimated there to be in the region of 274,000 Family Carers in Ireland. 62% are women and 38% are men. The average age of Family Carers is 46.
Care Alliance 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 274,000 family carers.
The week is coordinated by Care Alliance Ireland in partnership with eight other leading Irish organisations who support family carers; The Alzheimer Society, The Carers Association, Caring for Carers Ireland, The Disability Federation of Ireland, Bri, MS Ireland, Headway, and The Irish Hospice Foundation.
For more information contact Jennifer Jackson on 086 883 4942 or email admin@carersweek.ie
June 12th 2012
Date for your Diary - National Carers Week June 18th-24th
Nuala Carey lends support as Thousands of Family Carers to take part in week of Celebration, to be launched on Monday June 18th at 11am, The Mansion House.
The 6th National Carers Week will celebrate and recognise the contribution of Ireland’s Family Carers with over 150 events nationally, from 18th to 24th June.
Family Carers will be available for interviews in the Mansion House before the launch from 10.30am.
The week is co-ordinated by Care Alliance Ireland in partnership with eight other leading Irish organisations who support family carers; The Alzheimer Society, The Carers Association, Caring for Carers Ireland, The Disability Federation of Ireland, Bri, MS Ireland, Headway, and The Irish Hospice Foundation.
A list of National Carers Week events is available at http://www.carersweek.ie/events
Ends.
Notes to the Editor:
Family Carers are usually immediate relatives, who provide very high levels of care, at home, for children and adults with severe disabilities, frail older people and people who are terminally ill.
The 2009 Quarterly National Household Survey estimated there to be in the region of 274,000 Family Carers in Ireland.
The week also includes a National Schools Competition ( Winner announced at Mondays Launch, photo opportunity with children and Nuala Carey), a policy report on Carer Assessments (Thursday), the release of carers survey results at a briefing in Leinster House for members of the Oireachtas (Wednesday June 20th).
A list of Carers Week Events nationally is available at www.carersweek.ie
Care Alliance Ireland is leading in the co-ordination of the week. www.carealliance.ie
For further information contact: Liam O’Sullivan 087 207 3265 ndo@carealliance.ie
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