New resource for end-of-life carers

A new website resource was launched today which aims to provide advice and support for family carers who are looking after a loved one who is in the last few months of life.

The website - www.carers.ie - was launched during National Carers Week in an effort to raise awareness of the specific needs of family carers who are looking after a loved one who is dying.

The Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF), which has launched the website, said research has found that family carers of the terminally ill feel very isolated and face financial, emotional and psychological hardships in fulfilling their caring duties.

"Studies have shown that carers involved in palliative care have extremely high levels of anxiety - sometimes higher than that of a patient." the IHF said.

It says the lack of information and appropriate advice can be a source of anxiety, particularly when a loved one is in their final days and hours.

The carers.ie website is a portal that guides carers to find the information they need.

It has been specifically developed to support family carers who are looking after a lived one who has been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and is expected to die within six months.

A wide range of organisations including the Citizens Information Board and Care Alliance Ireland as well as medical professionals in palliative care and chronic illness have supported the initiative.

Marie Lynch of the IHF said we need to invest in a range of support services for people providing end-of-life care
for their loved ones, who face a range of hardships and are often invisible in society.

"The IHF was very disappointed that the National Carers Strategy was deferred. A strategy is needed in good times or bad," she said.

[Posted: Wed 10/06/2009]