Carers Week 2020 – ‘Making Caring Visible’

This Carers Week let’s work together to help ‘Make Caring Visible’

This year, Carers Week 2020 will run from the 8th to the 14th of June with the theme ‘making caring visible’. Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring and this year it’s more important than ever to ensure that family carers are made visible and no longer remain hidden heroes.

Caring for a loved one with dementia means that the carer may face many changes and challenges. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic many people are taking on more caring responsibilities often despite challenges that should not be underestimated. Carers need to be recognised, respected and provided with information and support.

There are 9 partner organisations collaborating for Carers Week including the Alzheimer Society of Ireland which is led by Care Alliance Ireland. The main webpage is at https://www.carersweek.ie. All information on virtual/online events taking place during the week can be found by clicking here.

This Carers Week, we can each play our part to help ‘make caring visible’. Let’s ensure family carers know that they are not alone.

Voice of and for Carers

Family carer Máire-Anne Doyle with her father Brian Doyle

Máire-Anne Doyle

Current family carer Máire-Anne Doyle has opened up about the challenges of being a full-time carer for her father, Brian, who turned 90 this year, during the Covid-19 health crisis as Ireland marks hidden heroes during national Carers Week 2020 from June 8th-June 14th.

A former HR Recruitment Specialist who worked in Toronto before returning to Dublin four years ago and moving back into the family home to care for her father, Brian, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia six years ago.

Máire-Anne, who is a member of the Dementia Carers Campaign Network (DCCN) said: “It’s like living in Groundhog Day permanently but I’m carrying on as best I can. Dad is a phenomenal man but his life is now so much more restricted due to Covid-19 and he has constant questions. We no longer receive the daily hour of assistance from the HSE due to the worry of Covid-19. We only deal in the now and we don’t go down the black hole of what if.”

Brendan Courtney - National Carers Week 2020

Brendan Courtney

Thanks to TV presenter and campaigner for family carers Brendan Courtney for sending us this heart-warming message to help us start the week. More information on www.carersweek.ie and www.alzheimer.ie

ASI CEO Pat McLoughlin - National Carers Week 2020

Alzheimer Society of Ireland CEO, Pat McLoughlin

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic we know many people are taking on more caring responsibilities than ever before. Here, our CEO Pat McLoughlin explains what is happening during National Carers Week which starts today. We hope that together we can ensure family carers are made visible and no longer remain hidden heroes.

The Way Ahead Booklet

The updated Way Ahead booklet from Carers Alliance is a resource to support former family carers.

Produced by a team of former carers, and health and social care professionals, and updated since 2018 to reflect the changing landscape, this booklet seeks to support people post caring as they navigate through their new world.

If you would like a copy of the booklet please contact the Alzheimer National Helpline on 1800 341 341 or go to www.alzheimer.ie

Invitation to Online Meeting

Alzheimer Society of Ireland Supports and Services

Many people find it difficult to look for help; knowing where to start, who to talk to and how to get help can feel overwhelming and frightening. It is important to know that looking for and accepting help is a positive step which will benefit you, your loved one, and your family.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland provides a range of specialist services throughout Ireland. Our staff and volunteers will work with you and your family throughout the course of the condition. Our information and support services include:

  • The Alzheimer National Helpline (1800 341 341)Our free and confidential Helpline service is for people with dementia and their families, carers and anyone concerned about dementia. Click here for more information.
  • Virtual Dementia Nurse Service -The Alzheimer National Helpline has expanded with a new free call-back service which offers people with dementia and family carers the opportunity to book a 1:1 session with a Dementia Nurse by calling 1800 341 341 to book an appointment. Click here for more information
  • Dementia Adviser Service -Our Dementia Advisers work with people with dementia, their families and carers to provide a highly responsive and individualised information and signposting service. This service is free and confidential. Click here for more information.
  • Online Support Group for Family Carers -We have recently launched a new Online Support Group for Family Carers of People with Dementia to help alleviate the increasing pressure points on family carers during Covid-19. This online support group will be a dedicated space for family carers to find information and resources of interest to them. Click here for more information.
  • Online Family Carer Training Courses – We offer training to family carers looking after a loved one with dementia. This online Family Carer Training programme aims to develop family carers’ knowledge of Alzheimer’s and other dementia’s, and their caring skills, to enable them to respond more confidently to their family members’ needs. It also provides opportunities for carers to meet other carers and share their experiences online. Click here for more information.
  • Alternative Activity Therapy is a new temporary service for people living with dementia and their family carers during the COVID-19 crisis. Due to the necessary temporary closure of our day services we wanted to extend our reach to those who availed of our day care services nationally. At the moment within this project, the team are only offering the Social calls/Activity Engagement Calls and the Activity packs to those who availed of Day Care pre-Covid 19. More information available by clicking here.

For more services and supports available from ASI in your county click here 

For information and resources for Carers / Family members click here

Hear how other family carers cope with the challenges of caring for someone with dementia. Each caring journey is unique for them. To watch videos of Carer Stories click here

Need help?
Call the National Helpline
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