Selfless Dublin carers up for awards

OVER 46,000 Dubliners selflessly give up their time every week to take care of a family member.

Their work is often highly stressful and 87 per cent say their roles contribute to a general decline in their own health and wellbeing.

Despite this they sacrifice their time and lives so that they can take care of others.

The Carers Association is calling on locals across the city to recognise the dedication and enormous contribution of Dublin’s 46,825 family carers.

The Carers of the Year Awards and Young Carer of the Year Award 2013 were recently launched by patron of The Carers Association and broadcaster Mary Kennedy to mark the commitment of family carers.

Family carers across Ireland save the health budget over four billion euro each year as they provide unpaid care in the home each week to frail older people, the terminally ill and those with disabilities.

A survey of family carers from across Ireland who attended the recent National Carers Convention found that 87 per cent of those surveyed said their roles were highly stressful and have contributed to a decline in their own health and wellbeing.

“Family caring can be very difficult with many family carers experiencing isolation, stress and illness due to their round-the-clock caring responsibilities,

? said Catherine Cox of The Carers Association.

“It is a real labour of love and these awards are so important to recognise and celebrate the work of family carers.

“This year in particular has been a very tough year for family carers with many struggling to make ends meet. We urge the public across Ireland and Dublin to nominate their chosen family carer.

?

Mary Kennedy was joined at the launch by

‘Carer of the Year 2012’ Peter Riordan (82) from Naas, Co Kildare who provided full time care to his wife Eithne, for decades before she passed away in 2004.

Peter now cares for his sons Bernard (51) and Ronan (36). Bernard was left brain-damaged and in a wheelchair following a tragic car crash in 1978 in which his brother Stephen (who was 15) died.

Ronan has Downs Syndrome and is non-verbal.

Application forms are available from The Carers Association’s Resource Centre’s nationwide or directly from the freephone careline on 1800240724.

Nominations can also be made online at www.carersireland.com

Closing dates for nominations is Friday, September 27.

All entrants receive a commemorative certificate.

The National Carer of the Year and Young Carer of the Year 2013 will be announced at a special ceremony in November.