Latest News
Make Carers Count in Census 2011
The Carers Count Campaign, is a public information campaign designed to inform Carers about Census 2011. The purpose of the campaign is to make all Carers aware that Question 22, which refers to “unpaid help” in next month’s Census, is about Family Carers and to ensure all Family Carers both full and part-time, answer this question. Census 2011 will take place on Sunday April 10th.
New Website launched aims to support stroke survivors and their families
(18th February 2011) A new Irish based website http://researchandhope.com/ has been launched this week.
Its founders say it;
‘offers hope to people suffering with devastating problems due to stroke… and presents survivors with 24 potential stroke treatments. Despite passing clinical trials, most of these are rarely offered by doctors in the aftermath of stroke.‘
I.T.T. Tallaght David Lowbridge, Regional Manager in The Carers Association addressed the Faculty and students in I.T.T Tallaght recently about the work of The Carers Association and through this we will be trialing a number of projects with the Social Care students and the Department. Pictured: Angela Feeney, Head of Languages, I.T.T Tallaght, Marie Kielty, Careers and Appointments Officer I.T.T Tallaght, David Lowbridge, Regional Manager, The Carers Association and Sr. Bernadette Purcell, Chaplain.
Massage Awareness Week - 1st - 7th November 2010
‘Caring for the Carers’ Campaign in conjunction with The Carers Association
The Irish Massage Therapists Association (IMTA) is delighted to be working together with The Carers Association again this year to orchestrate an almost nation-wide massage campaign entitled ‘Caring for the Carers’. Last year this campaign raised over €4,000 and 320 carers received massage treatments in 18 centres around the country.
The focus of this week-long event is IMTA members volunteering their time and expertise to give something back to carers in local communities while highlighting the many benefits of massage on health and well-being.
Dates and venues around the country are currently being organised where carers can book a 30 minute massage treatment at a nominal fee of €10. This fee will be donated to the Carers Association. The treatments offered will include back, head/neck and shoulder massages, hand /foot reflexology.
The Irish Massage Therapists Association
The IMTA was founded 20 years ago, and today is one of the most respected associations in the complementary field of health care in Ireland. They promote continuing education for their therapists and open communication between therapists, clients and other health care professionals.
The Carers Association
The Carers Association is Ireland's national voluntary organisation for and of family carers in the home. Family carers provide high levels of care to a range of people including frail older people, people with severe disabilities, the terminally ill and children with special needs.
Massage Awareness Week Information
Interested carers should contact their local Carers Centre to see if treatments are available in their area or alternatively contact the National Careline freefone 1800 240724 or visit www.carersireland.com for further details. View full list of Massage Locations here.
Over 50s Show - RDS Dublin 15th - 17th October 2010
The Over 50's Show is taking place this weekend in the RDS, Dublin from Friday, 15th to Sunday, 17th October 2010.
This promises to be a very exciting lifestyle event for older people and will feature a number of exhibits, displays, presentations and demonstrations.
Topics covered include health and well being, personal finance, holidays, hobbies, fashion and beauty, genealogy, security, senior care and government and statutory information.
The HSE Elder Abuse Services has reserved a stand at the exhibition, Stand 51.
Write on 4 Work - National Adult Literacy Agency
Write On 4 Work is a free qualification at FETAC Level 3 (equivalence junior cert) for adults. You can follow this course from home, either with a tutor over the telephone or on the internet. It begins in October 2010 and when you gain a qualification, if you are unemployed you will get €100 success bonus*.
What options do I have?
· Filling in job applications
· Writing, updating or improving your CV (Curriculum Vitae)
· Interview skills
· Using computers and the internet
· Starting to learn again and study skills
· Effective communication skills
· General health and safety awareness
· Brushing up any rusty skills- reading / writing / numbers
What does it involve?
· The course is flexible so you can do it at home, in your own time and at your own pace.
· A tutor will help you decide your level and what you want to learn and work with you as you progress.
· When you finish, we will also guide you as to your next steps
To sign up
Phone National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) Free on 1800 20 20 65 or Free Text ‘LEARN’ to 57100 or Log onto writeon.ie
*€100 success bonus if you are in receipt of jobseekers for more than 3 months
Open your Eyes - Open your Lens - HSE Elder Abuse Short Film Competition
The HSE in partnership with the Department of Health and Children, Age Action, Alzheimer’s Association, Carer's Association, Garda Siochana, and Active Retirement Ireland has established a committee which is working to highlight the issue of elder abuse and promoting the availability of support and services to people who need them. Elder Abuse is defined as ‘‘a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person or violates their human and civil rights.’’
One of the key projects to raise awareness of Elder Abuse is the Open Your Eyes to Elder Abuse short film competition.
The competition has two categories:
- Full time education category open to second and third level students
- General public category, open to any group or individual
Each category has a 1st prize of €1,000; 2nd prize of €500 and 3rd prize of €250.
Competition Rules
A full list of the rules are available on the HSE website www.hse.ie from 10th August 2010 as well as from the following websites;
Active Retirement Ireland, Age Action, Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Carers Association.
The film has to be at least 30 seconds long but not longer than 60 seconds and it will be judged on the following criteria:
Judging Criteria
- How effective is the short film at incorporating the theme of highlighting Elder Abuse?
- Accuracy: is the film based on accurate facts and information?
- Creativity and originality: how unique and innovative are the ideas presented in the short film?
- Production quality: is the film well produced? Are the images crisp and dialogue (if any) clear?
- Appropriateness: is the short film appropriate to be placed on the HSE website and the websites of Active Retirement Association, Age Action, Alzheimer’s Association and Carers Association, etc.
The entries will be judged by a panel of five people including George Hook, Broadcaster; Noel Mulvihill, HSE National Lead for Older Persons; Emer Begley, Age Action; John Ingram, Animo Communications, a leading and award winning Irish video and television production company; and Sarah O’Callaghan, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
Information and publications on elder abuse are available on the Health Service Executive website.
Visit HSE Film Competition webpage here
Closing date for entries is Friday, October 29th 2010. Please email any queries to openyoureyes@hse.ie with “Elder Abuse Prevention YouTube Competition" in the subject line.
National Conference - 7th May 2010
The Carers Association's National Conference took place on May 7th in Croke Park, Dublin. The theme of this year's conference was Under the Radar - a Focus on Young Carers and Support Mechanisms. The commenced with the launch of the report on the national study of Young Carers by Minister Barry Andrews. The research, which was commissioned by the Office of the Minister for Children & Youth Affairs and undertaken by NUI Galway, examined mechanisms through which young carers in Ireland can be identified and explored the impact that caring has had on their lives.
Professor Saul Becker, from the University of Nottingham was the event's keynote speaker. Professor Becker is one of Europes leading experts on young Carers with particular interest in their experiences, policy responses and health and social interventions.
View more details on the National Conference Here
For further information contact Lee Anne Greville on 057 9370218 or email lgreville@carersireland.com.
New Outreach and Training Facilitation Service—Mayo
The Carers Association is delighted to announce the commencement of a new Outreach and Training facilitation Service in Co. Mayo. This is a 2 year project, sponsored by Baxter International Foundation. Our new Training and Outreach facilitator is Eileen McNamara.
The objectives of this service are to identify the needs of Family Carers and Young Carers in Mayo and raise awareness of the work Family Carers carry out. The new service will provide quality accredited Home Care Skills training and other training courses to family Carers.
Information sessions will be held throughout the county and support groups will be established. The new service will enable Mayo’s Family Carers establish a voice on a national level through membership of The Carers Association.
For further information download Information Leaflet
Please contact Eileen for further details or if you are interested in Training/Info:
Eileen McNamara, Co. Mayo Outreach & Training Facilitator, Currane, Achill, Co. Mayo.
Tel: 086 3775702 Fax: 098-20889 Email: carersmayo@carersireland.com
Census of Population 2011
Government have announced that the Census of Population 2011 will take place on Sunday April 10th 2011. Following consulations with key stakeholders including The Carers Association, the Central Statistics Office have agreed to change the wording of the Carer question and to allow for an open ended response. The Carers Association plan to launch a Pre Census campaign later this year to ensure that all people with caring responsibilities complete the question.
