Celebrating Offaly’s Family Carers – Launch of the 2015 Carers of the Year Awards

Launching its Carers of the Year Awards for 2015, The Carers Association has seen a significant increase in the number of ‘sandwich generation’ carers being nominated over the past four years.

According to a study conducted at Trinity College Dublin, one third of Irish women aged 50 – 69 provide care for both older parents and dependent children simultaneously. Known as the ‘sandwich generation’ this is a sector of carers set to rise with Ireland’s ageing population.

Broadcasters and Patrons of The Carers Association Mary Kennedy and Marty Whelan launching the 2015 Carers of the Year Awards

The Carers Association’s Carers of the Year Awards and Young Carer of the Year Award 2015, sponsored by Tunstall Emergency Response, are being launched to celebrate the dedication and commitment of Ireland’s 187,000 family carers and 6,500 young carers.

The awards were officially launched by broadcasters and patrons of The Carers Association, Mary Kennedy and Marty Whelan who are urging people across Offaly to nominate family carers in their family and community.

Nominations are also open for the Young Carer of the Year Award 2015. With awareness of young family carers increasing, The Carers Association saw a 400 per cent increase in the number of nominations for young carers last year, some as young as ten years of age.

“Family carers provide high levels of care in the home to their loved ones, including older people, those terminally ill and with disabilities. This care is provided with love and we want to recognise and celebrate family carers and young carers across Ireland with these awards” said Catherine Cox, The Carers Association.

“So many people are committed to providing the best care for their loves ones, often over many years. We are calling people across Offaly to nominate these dedicated carers for the Carers of the Year Awards. There are so many worthy recipients but they cannot be considered unless they are nominated so I urge people to nominate today.”

Nominations forms are available from The Carers Association Resource Centres nationwide or call the Freephone Careline on 1800 24 07 24. Nominations can also be made online at www.carersireland.com. Closing date for entries is Friday, September 11th 2015 and the ninth Carers of the Year Awards will be presented later this year.