The Carers Association

About The Carers Association

Most people prefer to receive care in their own home, given by members of their family, friends or neighbours. Compelling economic arguments favour this approach to long term health care. Caring is also viewed as an expression of familial, societal and inter-generational bonds and one of the core barometers of the social capital of our country. For these socio-economic reasons, people must be supported when they assume the role of a family Carer.

The detrimental effects of long term caring on the social, emotional, physical and psychological well-being of Family Carers are well documented in the Comhairle Social Policy Report, Supporting Carers, 2002 and the Houses of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs Report on the Position of Full-time Carers, 2003. Family Carers often overlook or suppress their own health and emotional needs in their concern for looking after the person they love. Loneliness, depression and physical exhaustion cause Carers to find it increasingly difficult to maintain the caring situation.

We reach Family Carers through our FREEFONE National Care Line, 16 drop-in Resource Centres and 2 Service Projects around the country: Blanchardstown, Bray, Clonmel, Clondalkin, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick & North Tipperary, Mullingar, Naas, Portlaoise, Rathgar, Roscommon Sligo, Tullamore, Tralee, Waterford and Wexford.

Carers Resource Centre – a place to be heard

Carers’ isolation and exclusion arises partly from the feeling that no-one else can ever understand their situation. Each Resource Centre is a drop-in facility administered by a manager who responds to telephone enquiries and visitors to the centre on welfare, social care, health care, personal awareness and advocacy issues. Managers schedule in-home respite, arrange training courses and run monthly support group meetings and Pamper-Days-Out for family Carers where funds permit.

Home Respite Service – the need for a break

Although some Carers may experience feelings of guilt for wanting some time to themselves away from the caring role, regular respite breaks of just a few hours a week are essential to restore the Carer and maintain the caring situation. Since 1994 The Carers Association has extended an in-home respite service to families in need either through self-referrals or referred by GPs, Public Health Nurses and Social Workers. This service is subject to limited funding and waiting lists apply.

Training – Care In The Home Course

For many Carers, their first priority is often to learn and understand the very basics in how to properly look after the person they love. The Carers Association’s vision is that all family Carers will be equipped with the new technical skills and information they need to be a confident, competent Carer to the person they look after by enrolling in our City & Guilds and FETAC Level 4 accredited 12-week Care In The Home course.

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