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Irish Independent
04-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Anxiety and self-harm: Limerick study exposes hidden struggles of young carers
According to the study, which has just been published in the prestigious The Lancet Public Health journal, over time caring increased young people's risk of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and self-harm. The research highlights the increased mental health risks for young people who provide informal care and support to family members suffering from physical or intellectual disabilities, old age, poor mental health, and substance abuse issues. Notably, young carers who engaged in long-term or intensive caregiving duties, measured in increasing hours per week, suffer worse mental health outcomes compared to their non-caring peers. The research also revealed that young carers who were assisting with personal care (ie washing, toileting), female carers, and carers from an ethnic minority background were at a higher risk. The study was carried out by a team of researchers at UL and consisted of a review of global caregiving literature to uncover the physical and mental toll experienced by young carers over time. Lead author Aoife Bowman Grangel, a researcher based in UL's Department of Psychology explained: 'Our previous research has shown that strong parental relationships, particularly those marked by expressions of appreciation, can help protect young carers from developing depression. 'A deeper understanding of the social factors that influence health and well-being is crucial for designing targeted interventions and support systems to improve outcomes for this group,' she added. Evidence from The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) indicate that up to one quarter of Irish young people provide such care. Census data indicates that a substantial proportion of these young carers provide over 15 hours of care per week, with approximately 12% delivering more than 43 hours, exceeding the duration of a typical full-time adult work week. Professor Stephen Gallagher of UL's Department of Psychology who was also a senior author on the study, stated: 'Caring can come at a cost, and be a highly stressful experience, as the unpredictable and fluctuating nature of illness exposes young people to a range of adverse emotional, social, and developmental challenges.' ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy, Family Carers Ireland, who partnered with UL on the research, said: 'Family Carers Ireland welcomes this study as it shines a light on young carers and young adult carers and the incredible contribution they make by caring for loved ones. 'The potential risks of young carers experiencing health issues highlighted in the study contribute evidence that should ensure that policymakers recognise young carers, acknowledging the very real challenges they face, and provide them and their families with the support they need to care safely.'
The Journal
03-07-2025
- Health
- The Journal
Home carer crisis: 'I used to be terrified that he'd die, now I'm terrified I'll die'
TODAY IS THE first day in 30 years that Damien Douglas has received full carers allowance for his twin daughters, Una and Ailish, who both suffer from the life limiting genetic disorder, Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. The means test limit, which was increased in Budget 2025, came into effect today, providing Damien with €260 weekly. However, carers say much more support is needed. Damien said his 'gorgeous girls' Una and Eilish, who are non-mobile, non-verbal and cannot eat or drink, operate at the level of a 'nine-month-old'. 'They cannot do anything for themselves in any way. Everything that they need done for them has to be anticipated by us, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year,' Damien said. Doctors told Damien his daughter would not survive beyond the age of two. 'Now they're 30, and that itself is a miracle. They're the most gorgeous girls in the world,' he said. Damien Douglas with his daughters Eilish and Una Damien said 'huge inequalities' exist for home carers. 'If I was an artist struggling, I'd probably get €325 a week, the most carers get is €260. There's an inequality in that which doesn't ring through. It devalues what we do', he said. Now aged 68, Damien's worries constantly about what will happen to his girls if he and his wife pass away. 'No way do I ever want my other children, to have to do what we have to do. We do it because we are parents, they don't have to do it and nor should they ever have to do it', he said. 'I dread when I'm another 10 years older and the girls are 40. How are we ever going to manage? Are we going to put them on a waiting list for accommodation? I have no idea. I'm terrified. In 10 years' time, I'll be 78 years. I will not be able to do what I can do now, he said. Damien said he and his wife have to fight for everything the girls need. 'We shouldn't have to fight, there should be a system in place whereby the needs are recognised both of the carers and other people who need care', he said. Damien was speaking with other carers at the Family Carer's Ireland Pre-Budget Submission 'Ensuring No One Has to Care Alone', which outlines eight reforms put forward to support family carers, including: Abolition of the Carer's Allowance means test. A fair and adequate income for carers. A right to respite. Fully fund the Carer Guarantee. Deliver the Statutory Home Support Scheme. Prioritise supports for children with additional needs. Deliver housing, transport, and climate justice. Support working family carers. Catherine Cox of Family Carers Ireland, said home carers are experiencing a 'crisis' and are at 'breaking point'. Advertisement 'According to our most recent State of Caring survey, almost 70% of carers face financial hardship, nearly a third cutting back on essentials such as food and heating. Over 72% have never received respite care, severely impacting their physical and mental health. Moreover, more than 15,000 children face unacceptable delays, often over a year, for essential assessments and therapeutic supports. She said family carers save the state over €20 billion each year, and Budget 2026 presents a 'vital opportunity' to deliver on their election promises and support family carers. Aisling McEniffe said she has also had to fight every day to access the care needed for her son Jack, 18, who has Down Syndrome and complex medical needs. 'I feel very tired, and I'm only 20 years in,' she said. 'I used to be terrified that he'd die, now I'm terrified I'll die', Aisling said, explaining that her own health problems make her live in fear for her son's future. 'My beautiful son is who I care for. I love him, and I will fight till I die for him. I don't want to die before him, because I know that there's nothing in place', she added. Aisling with her son Jack last week at his school graduation Aisling McEniffe Aisling McEniffe Aisling said the transition into adulthood for children with additional needs is 'horrific' as they change to adult services, often leaving them without necessary services. 'It's not as if the disabilities go away. It's not as if they're going to get better. In fact, the reality is that caring gets harder because we are getting older. Our kids are getting more complex', she said. She said there are no appropriate care options for her child, who at age 18 was offered respite in a nursing home. She added that the maximum €260 carers allowance, which is her only source of income, is insufficient. Last week she spent €345 on private appointments for her son alone. Aisling McEniffe Aisling McEniffe Aisling believes the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael government has played home carers with promises such as the abolition of the means test for the carers allowance. 'We can't trust anything they say anymore,' she said. 'It's just pure discrimination, and the government needs to acknowledge that they discriminate against carers and they discriminate against people with disabilities.' Aisling emphasises that carers are 'ordinary people', and they need 'proper support' which is different for each carer, rather than to be 'put on a pedestal'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
10-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
SETU Carlow premieres powerful video about family carers
To kick off National Carers Week 2025, which takes place from June 9 until 15, SETU and FCI showcased the moving video at an event at the university's Carlow campus. The short, documentary-style video brings to life the experiences of three family carers from across the country. Through the video, the audience is introduced to the stories of three family carers; Leona, Michael, and Sheila, who each have unique experiences of caring for loved ones. Leona and her husband Anthony care for their children Alex and Emma. Leona said: 'They are amazing and teach me so much every day.' Michael cared for his father for 12 years, until his father's passing at the age of 91. Speaking about their special connection, Michael said: 'People admired our relationship, we were more like brothers than father and son.' Referring to his experience as a family carer, he added that 'when the time has passed, and you're looking back, it was a privilege to do it'. Sheila cares for her teenage son, Conan. 'He's an amazing boy, a joy to be with,' she said. 'He is thriving in every sense. Caring for Conan has been so rewarding. I would do it all over again, and I'll keep doing it.' The purpose of the video, and the wider aim of the project, is to highlight the crucial, and often invisible, role of the family carer. Through the lived experiences of the carers featured in the piece, SETU and FCI aim to raise awareness of the important role family carers play in Irish society, and to continue to drive practical action to expand carers' access to higher education. 'Family carers have incredible resilience and a wealth of lived experience that should be valued and supported in inclusive learning environments,' said Nicola McEntee, SETU Project Coordinator. "Carers face significant barriers to participating in higher education due to the demands of their caring roles. We believe they deserve flexible and accessible routes into higher education, and that is what the project has strived to provide over the last few years. 'With today's video launch, we wanted to offer people a glimpse into the real-life experiences of carers; to show the immense work they do to care for their loved ones, and the huge benefit this is to our society. We also want to show the empowering experience they have each had through getting involved in our courses and the positive outlet this has provided them.' Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy at Family Carers Ireland, said: 'I'm delighted to be here today to witness this moving video about the great work of our collaborative project with SETU. "This project marked the first time Family Carers Ireland has partnered with a university, and the impact has been remarkable. These courses, tailored to the needs of carers, have offered a vital educational pathway to family carers, and has helped participants to build confidence and self-worth as individuals.' SETU's Faculty of Education and Lifelong Learning has a longstanding history of creating inclusive educational pathways to groups of learners who may need additional or alternative supports. The faculty has provided access to education to those who might otherwise not have had the opportunity to engage at third level. Groups such as family carers, part-time and mature students, members of the deaf community, the Traveller Community, and those who are in recovery from addiction, have completed courses from certificate to bachelors and master's levels through SETU. With over 500,000 carers in Ireland, National Carers Week is an opportunity to celebrate these carers and their inspirational stories.
Irish Independent
17-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Laois woman leads this year's family carers ‘Heart of Gold' campaign
Today at 22:00 Family Carer of the Year 2024 Sarah Dooley, from Mountmellick, Laois is leading this year's Family Carers Ireland national Heart of Gold campaign.
Agriland
10-05-2025
- Health
- Agriland
Watch: Healthcare staff problems ‘confounded' in rural areas
Fianna Fáil's health spokesperson, Martin Daly has said the issue of recruiting and maintaining healthcare staff is 'confounded' in rural areas. Speaking at the Irish Rural Link healthcare conference in Athlone yesterday (May 9), the TD and GP told Agriland that access to services is also a problem in rural healthcare. He said: 'Access if the biggest issue for rural healthcare. What we mean by that, is having an adequate number of healthcare professionals in rural communities, whether it's GPs, nurses, or most importantly, carers. 'One of the big issues that we don't often think about when we think of health, is rural links. So transport, many older people can't drive and they need to be able to get to the local hospital.' 'It's all about delivering the most appropriate care, in the most appropriate style, and it should be close to peoples home,' the Roscommon – Galway TD explained. Fianna Fáil health spokesperson, Martin Daly speaks about rural healthcare Family Carers Ireland's Vicky Ward told the conference that often carers in rural Ireland put 'their own health on the back burner' in order to help the person they are caring for. She said: 'In a lot of cases people can't access that care locally. We find, that every single issue that is out there for the general population is compounded for a family carer. 'Because, to be able to address their own ill health, they have to find somebody to care for their loved one, so that they can even go to a doctor's appointment,' she added. Rural healthcare services The keynote speaker at the conference Professor Robert Scully also highlighted that there is a need to increase the number of general practitioners (GPs) in rural areas, and outlined solutions to the problem. The first area Prof. Scully highlighted for change, was to increase 'targeted recruitment' of GPs in rural areas. In order to do this, he believes that students need to be exposed to appropriate role models, and for their to be a retention strategy to keep GPs in rural areas. The professor also believes that doctors need to be trained 'differently' to work in rural areas versus an urban location and medical students need to be educated about rural issues, such as farming accidents.
