NORTHSIDER Ann Smith from Cabra has been declared North Dublin’s Carer of the Year 2014.
Ann was presented with her Carers Association’s award by President of Castleknock Lions Club, Diarmuid McCarthy, at a ceremony held in Cumiskey’s Bar, Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin 7.
Ann has cared for her 92-year-old mother for the past 25 years She moved in with her mum when her father died and has been caring for her full-time ever since.
Ann’s mother has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and dementia.
Ann only put her mother into respite care for the first time in 2012 when she lost her youngest brother to cancer.
Since Ann’s mother’s health has declined, Ann has spent much of her time with her at hospital, as well as caring for her at home. Ann also looks after her six-year-old granddaughter while her daughter, Grace, works four days a week.
Nominations for Ann commended her for the sacrifices she has made.
“She is an amazing woman and we would be lost without her,” one nominator said.
“She is the best carer ever and thoroughly deserves this,” another wrote.
Nominations also spoke of how Ann had moved away from friends and gave up her social life to look after her mother.
Ann attended a special ceremony on November 12 honouring Ireland’s Carers of the Year for 2014. The awards ceremony was hosted by broadcasters and patrons of the Carers Association, Mary Kennedy and Marty Whelan.
All entrants received a commemorative certificate for the awards, which were sponsored by Tunstall Emergency Response.
“Family caring is a labour of love and these awards are an opportunity to celebrate family carers”, said Jacquiline Millman of The Carers Association, North Dublin.
“The North Dublin Carer of the Year Award recognises the dedication and enormous contribution of Dublin’s over 46,000 family carers.
“We are delighted to present this year’s well-deserved award to Ann Smith.”
The Carer of the Year Awards were set up to honour the work of family carers across Ireland.
Family carers provide care in the home to their loved ones, including older people, the terminally ill and people with disabilities.