Dad, 84, ‘under awful stress’ as son’s care package set to end
Dad, 84, ‘under awful stress’ as son’s care package set to end
Alphie Lonergan, 84, is the primary carer for his two adult children, Ronan and Donall, both in their 40s, who have severe learning disabilities. The family resides in Loughgilly, a rural area of County Armagh, where Alphie has been providing essential care at home. However, the care support he relied on is set to conclude this Friday, leaving him uncertain about how to continue managing their needs.
Initially, the local health trust offered a three-hour care package for both sons. This support was recently reduced to one hour for Ronan in 2024, and now the entire package is under threat. Alphie expressed his concern in an interview with The Nolan Show, stating,
“Thank God I’m in good shape, physically. Mentally I’m under awful, awful stress.”
He fears the consequences of no longer having assistance, especially as the demands of caregiving have grown.
The Southern Health Trust acknowledged the stress caused to the Lonergan family, attributing the decision to withdraw the care package to a shortage of social care staff. Despite the challenge, the trust said it is exploring alternatives to maintain the service.
“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 explained in a statement.
Donall, who also has autism and obsessive compulsive disorder, currently receives an hour of daily assistance to help him get ready in the morning. Alphie described the routine with humor, noting that Donall brushes his teeth three times and checks his laces six times before leaving the house. While the brothers attend day centers in nearby towns during the day, Alphie remains their sole caregiver at home.
His wife’s words still echo in his mind as he navigates the uncertainty.
“The last words my wife said: ‘I’m sorry about this Alphie, look after the children.'”
Alphie vowed to fulfill this promise, though the burden has become heavier. His two daughters, though supportive, are also stretched thin, juggling their own families and careers. He recounted,
“My two daughters were thrown in at the deep end from an early age. 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.'”
Alphie’s sleep has also been disrupted by Donall’s habits, who often stays up late.
“I wouldn’t be sleeping that great,”
he admitted. “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.” The family’s situation highlights the growing strain on rural caregivers, as the Southern Trust faces challenges in recruiting and retaining staff in the area.
In November, it was confirmed that some social care workers would not receive the pay increase offered to Northern Ireland healthcare professionals. This adjustment, intended to prevent industrial action, applied to doctors, nurses, and auxiliary staff but excluded independent homecare workers. Funding for the Real Living Wage was still available, yet the impact on care provision remains significant. According to the 2021 Northern Ireland Census, this reflects broader challenges in the sector.
