Who are Family Carers?
If you give care at home to a relative, partner or friend who is ill, elderly, a child with special needs or a person with a disability, you're a family carer and you're not alone. Over 160,000* people in Ireland give care at home every day to somebody who needs their help.
Family Carers work a combined 3.7 million hours per week and contribute more than €2.5 billion a year to Ireland’s social economy.
*Census 2006
There’s No Place Like Home
Most people prefer to be looked after in their own home, for as long as possible, by those whom they’re closest to - and there are many other good reasons to favour home-based long term health care. While caring for a loved one at home can be a deeply rewarding experience, for many family carers, the effects of a long-term caring situation can be isolation, poor physical and emotional health and even poverty.
About The Carers Association
Our mission is to achieve recognition, empowerment and a better quality of life for family Carers.
Founded in 1987, The Carers Association is a national voluntary body and registered charity (CHY 10962.) We give emotional and practical support to family Carers, promoting their interests and those receiving care in the home through effective partnership and advocacy.
Our Core Services to Carers
National Care Line – FREEFONE 1 800 24 07 24
This free listening service is a vital link for the isolated Carer. Staff are able to refer callers to their closest Resource Centre, look up information for them on the internet, advise on rights, entitlements and benefits or just chat with Carers in a supportive, understanding and non-judgemental way. Occasionally, other support services are enlisted to assist Carers who are in crisis. The National Care Line currently operates from 9am to 5pm weekdays.
Carers Resource Centre – a Home from Home
We offer 16 drop-in Resource Centres offering advice and support groups in Blanchardstown, Bray, Clondalkin, Clonmel, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick, Mullingar, Naas, Portlaoise, Rathgar, Sligo, Tullamore, Tralee, Waterford and Wexford and 2 Service Projects in North Tipperary and Roscommon co-ordinated by a National Office in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Contact the National Care Line or www.carersireland.com for your closest centre.
In-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 confidently care for the person they look after, and themselves, by enrolling in our City & Guilds and FETAC Level 5 accredited Care In The Home course.
Get involved!
If family carers' issues are relevant to you, please get in touch to find your closest resource centre, and join our membership to add your voice to ours in advocating for recognition of family carers in Ireland.
National Office
Market Square
Tullamore
Co. Offaly
Ireland
National Care Line: FREEFONE 1 800-24-07-24
Tel: (057) 932 2920
Fax: (057) 932 3623
www.carersireland.com
Registered Charity Number CHY 10962
