This article is from page 4 of the 2012-09-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
CARERS are living in fear not only of the day when they are not around to care for their loved ones, but living in fear that the system that should be there to assist them will let them down.
One carer from just outside Ennis asked that her name not be used. She said that rightly or wrongly, she feared her case would not be looked on favourably if she “said the wrong thing”.
“You are very vulnerable and you may need these services again,” she said.
Rose (not her real name) is married with five children. Just over 13 years ago, when the children were still very young, her husband was diagnosed with a very rare disease of the brain and a stroke. Since then, he has suffered numerous side affects, further complications and a blood condition.
As a result, this still relatively young man requires round-the-clock assistance. The responsibility for his care lies solely with Rose.
The family have currently no outside assistance.
“The DPOC gave funding for a man to come two mornings a week. He was great – so helpful and respectful of my husband and his needs. Two years ago, the funding was cut and we lost the service,” said Rose.
Currently, the family have no home help, although Rose is applying for assistance.
“I have no home help hours and now I definitely won’t be getting them,” she said, resigned to a difficult winter.
“My husband cannot be left alone. For now, everywhere I go, I have to bring him with me or the children stay with him while I go out for something. They are great but they have to have their lives too,” she said.
“I am lucky. I know some people who have no one,” added the young mother, looking at the bright side of a sometimes very bleak situation.
“The cutbacks are terrible. I thought when he (Minister for Health, James Reilly) came in, he would be good as he is a doctor, but he seems as bad as the rest.”