Louise McSharry has been open about her experience with family carers.
Her mother has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s which has left her husband and Louise’s father as her full-time carer.
We sat down exclusively with Louise to discuss the focus on carers this June, following National Carers Week.
Tell us a little about your own personal connection to family caring?
My mom is 61 and sadly many years into a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. She needs help with just about everything these days. We are lucky that my dad is able to act as essentially her full-time carer, but it puts immense pressure on him. As a family, we do our best to support him, but it never feels like enough, really. It’s an incredibly difficult role.
What message would you like to send to the many unpaid family carers across Ireland?
I would like them to know that they are seen and appreciated. I am conscious of the fact that the role of family carer varies widely across a large spectrum, and while all care work is valuable, I am particularly conscious of those whose entire lives are dedicated to caring for a family member. I can only imagine how difficult that is, and the emotional toll it must take. I think often family carers feel let down by the systems and supports in place, and I truly wish their well-being was more of a priority in this country, given their enormous contribution.
June is all about showing “we care back” – how do you personally make time for those you care about, even with your busy schedule?
I think showing up is the best thing you can do. Showing up for the person who needs care, and also for the people providing it. In a situation like ours, I worry about my dad just as much, if not more, than my mom. I know her needs are being met, but the pressure on my dad is immeasurable. His needs need to be a priority too. My dad needs time with people who can offer conversation and stimulation, and I want to be sure he feels valued by us. To me, that means checking in and showing up. Just being around means a lot.
You spoke so beautifully on Ireland AM about the emotional load many carry, how does this campaign tie into that for you?
I think the ‘we care back’ message is really powerful. From speaking with family carers, many of them feel isolated and underappreciated, as well as frustrated by the system. I think there is power in acknowledging their work, and of course, in the vital services provided by Family Carers Ireland. Lidl’s commitment to fundraising to make sure those services exist is huge, but the raising of awareness is perhaps even more powerful. I want family carers to feel seen and appreciated, and I want to be sure they know about the supports that do exist via FCI.
What helps you feel seen or supported when life is busy or overwhelming?
It means a lot when people check in in terms of how things are going with my mom, and in our family. I don’t always have a great answer. Alzheimer’s unfortunately only goes one way, so unfortunately I’ll never have a ‘great news!’ response, but just the acknowledgement that it’s happening is helpful. I think sometimes people can feel awkward asking about difficult.
I’m just delighted to see a company make such a huge commitment to supporting the more than half a million people in Ireland who act as family carers. These people are often unrecognised and unsupported, and provide the country with 19 million hours of unpaid work each week. They deserve to be recognised, but more importantly, to be supported, so organisations like Family Carers Ireland are vital.
Louise is a campaign ambassador for Lidl We Care Back and as the month of June draws to a close, you can still pick up your Heart of Gold pins in all 186 Lidl stores nationwide. Every donation supports Family Carers Ireland and the vital work they do in every community across the country.
