Primary Carer at 84
Alphie Lonergan, aged 84, is the primary carer for his two adult sons, Ronan and Donall, both in their 40s and living at home with him. Both sons have severe learning disabilities.
Previously, a three-hour care package was provided by their local health trust for both sons. However, in 2024, this was reduced to one hour for one son, and that remaining package is scheduled to end on Friday.
"Thank God I'm in good shape, physically. Mentally I'm under awful, awful stress,"Alphie expressed his concern about managing without the support.
Care Package Reduction and Impact
The Southern Health Trust issued an apology for the stress and worry caused to the Lonergan family but attributed the decision to withdraw the care package to a shortage of social care staff.
Ronan's portion of the care package concluded in March 2024, which resulted in a decrease in the amount of time carers spend at the home.
Donall, who is autistic and diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, currently receives one hour of care daily to assist with getting up and dressing.
"Donall brushes his teeth three times and checks his laces six times before he is ready for the day,"Alphie told The Nolan Show.
"Donall doesn't get up until the carer arrives - you can't lift a boy in his 40s out of bed and get him up on his feet who doesn't want to do it,"he added.
"I feel awful talking about them, they're two great lads."
Family Support and Challenges
Alphie receives support from his two daughters, but the uncertainty surrounding the care situation affects the entire family.
"My two daughters were thrown in at the deep end from an early age,"he said.
"They have their own children, they're trying to hold down their jobs and I have to phone them: 'Would you come down here, I'm stuck.'"
The 84-year-old also struggles with rest, as Donall tends to stay awake until the early hours.
"I wouldn't be sleeping that great,"Alphie said.
"He's very careful, he wouldn't do any harm. But he walks about from room to room, closing doors.
I'm aware of it, I can't switch off."
Southern Health Trust Response
The Southern Health Trust acknowledged difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff, particularly in rural areas, but stated it is working with the family.
"We continue to actively pursue a range of potential options to maintain the service for this family; including continuously reviewing rotas in the Armagh and surrounding areas to see if we can create additional capacity as well as linking with other multidisciplinary teams to seek support,"the Trust said in a statement.
"We have also checked with our staff working in other areas to see if they can do additional work in the area where this family lives, but with no uptake yet."
Carers Excluded from Pay Offer
In November, it was confirmed that some social care staff would not benefit from the pay offer made to Northern Ireland healthcare workers.
The offer, intended to avoid industrial action, applied to doctors, nurses, and auxiliary staff but excluded homecare workers in the independent sector.
Funding that would have ensured these workers received the Real Living Wage was made available.
Unpaid Carers in Northern Ireland
According to the 2021 Northern Ireland Census, the number of unpaid carers is significant, reflecting the ongoing demand for family-based care support.
