Mayo woman honoured with prestigious Family Carer Ireland award

Family Carers Ireland, the national charity supporting Ireland’s family carers, has announced that the 2022 Netwatch Mayo Family Carer of the Year is Edel McKenna from Balla.

Edel has cared for her husband Joe since he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and uses her training as a nurse to support him every day.

She previously moved home from London to care for her late mother who was PEG-fed following the removal of her oesophagus.

Edel is a advocate for family carers and also works with the youth group Foróige in her local area.

Now in their 15th year, the Netwatch Family Carer of the Year Awards seek to recognise and shine a light on the remarkable contribution of the more than half a million people in Ireland who provide care at home to loved ones such as children or adults with additional needs, physical or intellectual disabilities, frail older people, those with palliative care needs or those living with chronic illnesses, mental health challenges or addiction.

The 19 million hours of unpaid care provided each week by family carers would cost the State €20 billion a year to replace.

Family carers often go unnoticed in the community despite the immense workload they take on and the significant commitment they show to those that they care for.

This has particularly been the case during the pandemic with many left increasingly isolated.

Family Carers Ireland Community Support Manager for Galway and Mayo, Michelle Moriarty said: “Caring for a loved one at home can be rewarding but it can also be challenging, particularly in the absence of vital supports and services including respite.

"This can take a toll on a person’s physical, mental, financial and social wellbeing. Often, a person can find themselves taking on the role of a family carer with little or no warning.

"These are mums, dads, sons, daughters, siblings, relatives, friends and colleagues who sometimes don’t even see themselves as family carers. They are doing extraordinary work that is too often unseen and undervalued."