Rose is Offaly’s Carer of the Year
A Tullamore woman who has been her sister's primary carer for over 20 years has been named the Offaly Carer of the Year for 2018.
Rose Dunne has been caring for her sister Maureen (64), who has a learning disability, since the death of their parents over two decades ago. Rose gave up her full-time job to care forMaureen. When she began caring for her sister there were no day care centre or respite supports available. She fought to get some help for Maureen who now attends a Day Care centre and has respite for two weeks a year. She helps Maureen with walking, getting in and out of bed and all the other daily functions.
According to CSO Irish Health Survey there are approximately 6,057 family carers in Offaly providing on average 45 hours of care per week in their homes. Family Carers across Ireland save the state a staggering €10 billion each year.
“We are delighted to recognise and celebrate Carers in every county of Ireland for their trojan work as Family Carers. A huge congratulations to Rose who is now the Offaly CareplusCarer of the Year 2018. Family Carers across Ireland make extraordinary sacrifices and work very hard, sometimes 24 hours a day, to provide care for their loved ones, safely, in their own homes. With limited access to services and particularly respite, Carers in Offaly are over stretched and receive little acknowledgement for their unpaid work with three quarters receiving no payment from the State, ” said Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Carer Engagement with Family Carers Ireland.
Niamh Lynch, Commercial Director of CarePlus Pharmacy commented: “CarePlus Pharmacy is honoured to sponsor the Family Carer of the Year awards and recognise the tireless efforts of thousands of people across the country. Carers are the heart of every community and our pharmacy owners and staff meet them every day.
We are enjoying working closely with Family Carers Ireland and supporting the awards throughout our sixty community pharmacies nationwide".
The national CarePlus ‘Carer of the Year’ awards will take place on November 23rd in the Westin Hotel in Dublin. They will be hosted by broadcasters, and patrons of the charity, Mary Kennedy and Marty Whelan.