Tipperary carers highlight the cost-of-living crisis
“It is battle after battle every day, and that goes for every carer,” said Barbara Kovach.
The daily nightmare of coping with the cost of living crisis for carers was highlighted during National Family Carers week.
Carers living in South Tipperary attended in large numbers a presentation by MABS at the Family Carers Ireland office in Clonmel as part of the week-long series of events to mark the week.
“It is battle after battle every day and that goes for every carer,” said Barbara Kovach.
Barbara, a Clonmel woman, is a full time carer for her 24 year-old son Liam.
She spoke about the financial stress every carer was under on a daily basis and said the plight of carers had not been addressed by successive governments since she joined Clonmel Carers in 2009.
“The same problems that were there in 2009 are still there today,” she insisted.
Financial support, a poor respite structure, the loneliness and isolation of a carer were among the issues that had not been addressed at all.
She said the cost-of-living crisis was affecting everybody but said the costs of caring for somebody 24/7 meant those costs are much higher.
“Everything is going up and up. The Government might give €10 a week in a budget, but that is eaten up immediately. The needs of a carer are huge, and that costs more money every day. The bills for food and electricity are astronomical. You are looking after somebody who has dietary needs, and the person you are looking after needs to have the heat on every day. Carers won’t be surprised if they get an electricity bill in the door for €1,000,” said Barbara.
Barbara said carers were isolated and lonely as they had no money to go out and socialise or meet friends.
“The €270 carer's allowance does not go far, as you are constantly subsidising the needs of the person you are looking after, as their disability allowance goes nowhere near what they need to exist. Liam’s disability allowance is €250, but he would need €400 minimum just for his needs. At the end of the day, you have nothing for yourself, and that would be the same for every carer,” said Barbara.
In Liam’s case, she said, food was very costly as ne needed specific foods and had to be watched all of the time because of a choking condition.
“We have to get up at 6.30am every day.I have to sit beside Liam every morning for breakfast.It takes him two hours to eat his Weetabix in the morning so I have to get him up early for him to make his bus for his day care service,” said Barbara.
“Everything is a battle. Accessing services is very difficult. I had to battle for five years before Liam had speech and language therapy. In the budget in October, I would like to see the Government stop plámásing carers. We need help, we need the services, and we need proper financial support to survive. Without carers, the health service would crash,” said Barbara.
What overrides all of the financial stress about coping every day is the fear of what is going to happen to the person they are caring for when they are gone.
“Going to sleep, you are afraid, waking up, you are afraid because it is constantly on your mind. It is very upsetting. Some people will not have family to take over the role of caring for them. Future planning has to be addressed by the Government,” insisted Barbara.
Barbara was one of many carers in the area to attend the MABS presentation given by Eimear Guiney and Celine Burke. The MABS representatives informed carers about the services available to support people cope with financial issues and took questions from the large group of carers that attended.
They attended to create awareness of MABS, which has offices in Clonmel, Tipperary Town, Thurles, and Nenagh. The offices are open from 9 to 5 from Monday and Friday.”We were there to tell carers how to access the service and to give them an insight into the work we do,” said Eimear Guiney.
“The offices are very busy, and we are there to try and help people to manage their finances,” said Celine Burke.
“The turnout at the MABS gives you an idea of just how many people are trying to cope with the cost of living.Carers came out in big numbers for this presentation, which is an indication of the difficulties they are facing every day,” said Richie Molloy, manager of the Family Carers Ireland office in Clonmel, who organised the MABS presentation.