Press Release - December 13th 2010
Regulation Essential to end abuses in Home Care Provision
Care Alliance Ireland calls for regulation to protect vulnerable people and to reassure families.
Responding to this evenings Prime Time Investigates programme that highlighted unacceptable practices in home care support, Care Alliance Ireland reiterates its call for urgent regulation of the unregulated home care sector.
Detailed and comprehensive HSE guidelines for home care support have been completed since 2008 but we await their publication.
These guidelines must now be implemented as an interim measure until thorough statutory regulations are enacted. They would give a legislative basis to protect some of Ireland’s most vulnerable people; people who need support to continue to live at home.
Liam O’Sullivan, of Care Alliance said, ‘”With the development of home care packages, we have witnessed the massive expansion in home care provision in recent years. This is welcome. However, in the absence of regulations, poor practices will continue, including inadequate training, support and supervision.” O’Sullivan goes on to say “regulation will go some way towards reassuring both vulnerable people and their family members that home care support will add to their quality of life,”
“It is of note,” he added, ‘ that each of the agencies indentified in the Prime Time programme are for-profit organisations. It is important that the profit element in home care provision does not compromise high quality care provision”.
For further information contact: Liam O’Sullivan, 087 207 3265
E-mail ndo@carealliance.ie
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Notes to the Editor:
Care Alliance Ireland is the National Network of Voluntary Organisations supporting Family Carers.
Our vision is that the role of Family Carers is fully recognised and valued by society in Ireland. We exist to enhance the quality of life for Family Carers. We will achieve this by supporting organisations in their direct work with Family Carers through the provision of information, research, the sharing of resources and opportunities for collaboration.
There are in the region of 274,000 Family Carers in the Republic of Ireland and we work with our 71 member organisations to support them in their work. Our membership includes all the carers organisations and virtually all the condition specific organisations currently providing services to many of Ireland’s Family Carers.
Family Carers are usually immediate relatives, who provide very high levels of care, at home, for children and adults with severe disabilities, frail older people and people who are terminally ill.
News Release - June 15th 2010
Research on Family Carers of Parkinson’s patients calls for Full Carers Assessment and Adequate Home Care Supports.
As part of National Carers Week (June 14th-20th) a report published today by Care Alliance Ireland in association with The Parkinson’s Association of Ireland, paints a picture of inadequate supports for Family Carers of people with Parkinson’s.
Ann Stokes, the author of this report, makes several distinct recommendations. These include;
- Home supports that enable Family Carers to get the rest and breaks from caring that they need.
- A full assessment of the needs of Family Carers.
- More collaboration between the state and voluntary sector in the provision of support services.
- Health promotion programme for Family Carers.
- More awareness of the valuable contribution made by Family Carers.
- Specific training for healthcare professionals around the role of Family Carers, who provide in excess of 80% of care.
- Establishment of an independent 24 hour Family Carer help-line.
- Supports for Family carer after their caring has ended.
Column Conway, Chair of Care Alliance Ireland said; “We are delighted to be working with the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland in delivering this important piece of research that gives the reader a picture of the reality of caring for someone with Parkinson’s.” He goes on to say “The issues faced by Family Carers, and in the case of this research, mostly partners of those with Parkinson’s, are told in a way that reflects the often harsh reality as well as the enduring love and commitment shown. This research, the first of its kind in Ireland, will add to our understanding of the caring role played by thousands of families affected by Parkinsons throughout Ireland.
Joe Lynch, CEO of The Parkinsons Association of Ireland said; “Parkinson’s affects about 8,000 people in Ireland with more and more younger people being affected. This translates into at least 20,000 full and part time carers. Most people are involved in 24 hour care and their own health and well being is often put at risk. There needs to structured, easily accessible assistance for carers who do an invaluable role for people with Parkinson’s who are often their husband’s or wives. However with the reducing age of young onset Parkinson’s the caring role is also being taken up at a much younger age leaving people with a lifetime of caring ahead of them.”
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Notes to Editors
Family Carers available for interview at the launch (11.30am) on request.
Pictures of the launch will be available this afternoon (Tuesday June 15th) upon request – Jimmy Weldon Photography – 086 868339022 jweldonphotography@eircom.net
The Full Research Report and Executive Summary are available here: Full Report Final
A full List of Carers Week Events is available at www.carersweek.ie
Care Alliance Ireland is the National Network of Voluntary Organisations supporting Family Carers. We aim to support organisations in their direct work of supporting family carers all over Ireland. We also provide information, education and training, regarding the needs of family carers; we carry out research relating to family carers, and promote inter agency collaboration
Care Alliance Ireland, Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, D 7
Ph: (01) 8747776
Email: info@carealliance.ie www.carealliance.ie
The Parkinsons Association of Ireland is a registered charity, based in Dublin, with branches throughout the country. Our aim is to assist those with Parkinson's their families, their carers, health professionals and interested others by offering support, a listening ear and information on any aspect of living with Parkinson's.
Parkinson’s Association of Ireland,Carmichael House,North Brunswick Street,D7
Ph: (01) 8722234, Joe Lynch: 087 – 8154467. E-mail:info@parkinsons.ie www.parkinsons.ie
For further information contact: Liam O’Sullivan 086 8272127
E-mail ndo@carealliance.ie
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