The Carers of the Year Awards 2012 were launched recently by The Carers Association, whose members took the opportunity to highlight the physical, emotional, and psychological cost of caring for their loved ones in the home. There are 2,862 carers in Westmeath providing 66,262 hours of care in the home each week to frail older people, people with disabilities, terminally ill, and those with special needs.
The Carers of the Year Awards and Young Carer of the Year Award 2012, sponsored by Emergency Response, celebrate the dedication shown by family carers in Ireland, including those from Westmeath, to providing care in the home to their loved ones. Recognising the commitment made by Ireland’s family carers, the awards are based on a national nomination process, with the public invited to nominate their chosen local family carers. All entries will receive a commemorative certificate and four regional winners are chosen. The National Carers of the Year 2012 will be announced at a special ceremony in May next year.
The Carers Association patrons Mary Kennedy and Marty Whelan were joined at the launch by the current Carer of the Year, Anne McGrath and Young Carer of the Year, Kelley Farrell. Anne is a mother of six children. Two of her children have died from Canavans Disease, a fatal neurological disorder, and Anne now dedicates her life to caring full-time for daughter Tamara (12 ), who also suffers from the disease. Young Carer of the Year Kelley, has cared for her mum Nuala, who has serious mobility issues, since she was nine years old. As an only child and with her dad working full-time, Kelley plays a key role in her mum’s care in their home.
Recent research conducted on the plight of Ireland’s family carers, showed that over 82 per cent of family carers had been severely affected by cutbacks in State services. Some 23 per cent of family carers surveyed said that an overburden of caring work had led to their own physical disabilities, while the research also identified the stress of caring and how many carers feel deep despair, anxiety, and suffer severe depression, as a result of a lack of supports and Government cutbacks.
“While the work of family carers in caring for their loved ones in the home can be rewarding and a real labour of love, the cost of that care in physical, emotional, and psychological terms can be immense. At a time when Ireland’s family carers are under renewed pressure in the wake of State cutbacks, the Carers of the Year Awards offer a tangible way of recognising and rewarding them for the vital work they do. We urge people in Westmeath to nominate their carer of the year,” says Caroline Poole, centre manager, The Carers Association, Westmeath.
To nominate your local family carer for the Carers of the Year Awards 2012 see www.carersireland.com or drop in to your local centre at 5 St Johns Terrace, Blackhall, Mullingar, call (044 ) 9347922 or email [email protected].
