National Carers Week – MyHomeCare 2022

National Carers Week

Monday 13th June – Sunday 19th June

Carers Week is all about highlighting and supporting all the work that carers do. This year National Carers Week is in partnership with The Alzheimers Society of Ireland, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, Care Alliance Ireland, Disability Federation of Ireland, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland, CRC (Central Remedial Clinic), Irish Cancer Society, The Irish Hospice Foundation, MS Ireland, St. Michaels House, Jack and Jill and We Love To Talk.

This years tagline is #MakingCaringVisible. So, to celebrate, MyHomeCare has decided to shine the spotlight on just a few of our amazing carers.

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Meet Brigid Shearman from Co. Louth

“I discovered a different side to myself! The variety of clients and their needs makes this profession very interesting and humbling”

How long have you worked as a Carer?

I have been working as a Carer for 10 years.

Why did you choose a caring profession?

I was working as a civil servant when my partner was diagnosed with MND and while living through this with him I discovered a different side of myself. I gave him dignity, understanding, and patience. I started to think outside the box, little things like leaving the toothpaste tube slightly open so he wasn’t dependent on me for everything. When he passed away, I made my career change and qualified as a healthcare assistant. I have never looked back.

How long have you been a member of the MyHomecare Team?

Nearly 2 years now.

What do you enjoy most about being a Carer?

What I love about being a carer are the clients. I am a people person and I love putting clients at ease in their own homes. The variety of clients and their needs makes this profession very interesting and humbling.

Do you have any advice for someone who would like a career in care?

Anyone thinking about joining this profession should think long and hard. Don’t do it on a whim. It takes skill, patience, understanding, and great communication to be a carer and to have job satisfaction.

Meet Lisa Brazil from Kilkenny

“Knowing that your time with them makes a huge difference to their day and that they look forward to seeing you is such a great feeling.”

How long have you worked as a Carer?

I have worked in healthcare for 19 years, working in home and residential settings.

Why did you choose a caring profession?

I chose caring as a career as I really enjoy the company of people and the work is so varied.

How long have you been a member of the MyHomecare Team?

Just over two years.

What do you enjoy most about being a Carer?

I enjoy working as a carer for my homecare. I am so lucky to meet such lovely, interesting people. Each day I learn something new. 

You build great working relationships when you are supporting people daily. It’s so rewarding for me to be part of enabling people to remain at home and lead an independent life as much as possible and take control over their own care.

Knowing that your time with them makes a huge difference to their day and that they look forward to seeing you is such a great feeling. You support people through all emotions from feeling sad to being there at the saddest times and then the most wonderful happy times. I always feel good at the end of my working day to know I have done my best and have left people happy, comfortable, and safe. I look forward to a new day tomorrow.

Do you have any advice for someone who would like a career in care?

I would say to anyone that enjoys meeting people and thinking of coming into the healthcare profession go for it and give it a try it’s such rewarding work.

Meet Rachel Lawrence from Co. Roscommon

“I love this job as it is so rewarding. I enjoy making a positive difference in my clients’ lives bringing a smile to their faces, and having a laugh.”

How long have you worked as a Carer?

MyHomecare is my first caring job.

Why did you choose a caring profession?

I choose this profession as it was something I enjoyed doing ever since my granny turned ill. That is when I wanted to go further and become a carer.

How long have you been a member of the MyHomecare Team?

10 Months.

What do you enjoy most about being a Carer?

I love this job as it is so rewarding. I enjoy making a positive difference in my clients’ lives bringing a smile to their faces, and having a laugh. I enjoy listening to their stories going for walks, providing care, doing all I can for them, learning something new, and making a positive difference in their lives. 

Do you have any advice for someone who would like a career in care?

Homecare is very rewarding as your attention is on one client, you can choose your set hours which offers great flexibility. It would be a great job for anyone who has an interest in starting their carer career as it gives you plenty of experience and you are learning something new every day.

Meet Norma Dalton from Limerick

“I enjoy being a carer, helping your clients to live independently at home and being kind to them.”

How long have you worked as a Carer?

I have worked as a Carer for 19 years.

Why did you choose a caring profession?

I have chosen caring as a profession because I love helping others and making a difference in their life.

How long have you been a member of the MyHomecare Team?

I have been working for MyHomecare for over 3 years.

What do you enjoy most about being a Carer?

I enjoy being a carer, helping your clients to live independently at home and being kind to them.

Do you have any advice for someone who would like a career in care?

My advice for anyone who would like to be a carer, if you have these qualities, being  kind, caring, trustworthy, honest, punctual and a good communicator then this is the job for you.

Meet Corina Cojocaru from Co.Dublin

“What I enjoy the most about being a carer is that I can feel and see the difference that is made in my client’s life. That relief and joy are so genuine.”

How long have you worked as a Carer?

I have been working as a carer for over 3 years.

Why did you choose a caring profession?

I didn’t choose this profession more likely it chose me.

How long have you been a member of the MyHomecare Team?

I have been a member of MyHomecare for 7 Months.

What do you enjoy most about being a Carer?

What I enjoy the most about being a carer is that I can feel and see the difference that is made in my client’s life. That relief and joy are so genuine.

Do you have any advice for someone who would like a career in care?

My advice for someone who wants to be a carer would be to treat everyone as if they are part of your family, especially when things are tough, always imagine and treat the patient as if they were part of your family.

Meet Sarah Daly from Co. Dublin

“Caring for people for me comes as second nature, as I’m a mother and have a lot of empathy, so I knew it would be a path I would enjoy.”

How long have you worked as a Carer?

Since last august 2020.

Why did you choose a caring profession?

Caring for people for me comes as second nature, as I’m a mother and have a lot of empathy, so I knew it would be a path I would enjoy.

How long have you been a member of the MyHomecare Team?

Nearly 2 months now.

What do you enjoy most about being a Carer?

Having friendships and feeling that I have done my job to the best of my ability.

Do you have any advice for someone who would like a career in care?

Always be open-minded, you would have to be care giving by nature and a people person.

Thank you to all our amazing Carers and Happy National Carers week!

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Check out the Nationwide Events and Stay up to date on all things National Carers week!

Carers Week Events

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The Covid-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Explained

In light of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases, the Covid-19 Vaccine booster programme has been extended following the recommendations of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced new Covid measures with the vaccine booster rollout ramp up a key phase in combating the ‘fourth surge’ of Covid-19.

The latest figures show 4,407 recorded daily cases, of which 634 are in hospital with 119 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the ICU.

**accurate at time of writing visit Ireland’s COVID19 Data Hub (arcgis.com) for updated daily figures

The vaccine booster programme has already begun with over 400,000 booster doses already being administered to those aged 80+ and those living in care facilities, according to HSE CEO Paul Reid.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly explains they have already seen a positive impact on those who have received the booster,

“In Ireland, we have already seen that booster doses given to those aged 80 years and older have been followed by a sharp decline in case numbers in that age group. This is very welcome news, and I encourage all of those who are eligible for a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine to come forward and receive that vaccine as soon as it is available to you.”

During Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s address on Tuesday (November 16^th) he announced that the NIAC have approved booster jabs for everyone over the age of 50 (a cohort of 600,000) and those under 50 with underlying illnesses in a bid to reduce Covid case numbers and relieve the pressures facing the HSE and Hospitals at present.

“NIAC have pointed out that the risk of vaccinated people aged 50-59 years requiring hospitalisation and becoming seriously ill and dying is higher than in younger age groups, therefore they are next in the order of priority for booster vaccination.”

As a result of this latest change, over 2.5 million people will now be eligible for their booster vaccine

Why Get The Vaccine Booster Dose

The HSE and NIAC are recommending those 50+ should consider receiving the booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine as the protection of the vaccine can weaken with time especially as we age. There are also concerns that with the more infectious Delta variant spreading, coupled with the easing of restrictions, it has lead to the surge in cases and hospital admissions.

The booster dose has been approved by the European Medicines Agency however if you have any concerns, please contact your GP or Pharmacist.

Find out more here – boosterpatientinfo.pdf (hse.ie)

Who Can Get The Vaccine Booster Dose?

Anyone aged 50 years plus
All Healthcare workers under 60 years
Anyone aged 16-59 years who have an underlying condition
Residents of irrespective or age or underlying conditions

You can only receive the booster vaccine if you have been double vaccinated and no sooner than 5 months after your second dose of your initial vaccine.

What Is The Vaccine Booster Dose?

All booster recipients will be given a single mRNA dose of Comirnaty® (Pfizer BioNTech) or Spikevax® (Moderna) regardless of which type of vaccine they initially received two doses of i.e. you received two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine but will received a Pfizer booster dose.

For more information visit https://www.ema.europa.eu/en or COVID-19 vaccines – HSE.ie

How To Get Your Vaccine Booster Dose

You cannot receive your booster shot at a walk-in centre.
There is no registration needed.
Appointments will be issued by your GP or you will receive an SMS from the HSE with your appointment details.
If you cannot attend your appointment or are unable to leave your home contact HSELive on 1800 700 700 to reschedule.
Anyone in Long-term Residential care will not need to attend an appointment, they will be vaccinated at home.
If you are a frontline healthcare worker, you will be invited for your booster vaccine once 6 months has elapsed from your second dose.

Healthcare Workers and the Booster

The HSE advises that most Healthcare workers will receive their booster appointment within the next six weeks. All healthcare workers under the age of 60 are expected to receive their booster vaccine by the end of December, with those aged 60+ already being called alongside the over 60 cohort.

For those who have become a healthcare worker after they received their second dose of the initial vaccine, you may need to register on the HSE, a service that is pending rollout.

However if you need to receive your booster vaccine quickly and have surpassed 6 months since your second dose details on how to get in contact are available here.

What If I Had Covid Recently?

The HSE is recommending that anyone that has been double vaccinated and since contracted Covid-19 will be invited to receive their booster shot six months after their Covid-19 diagnosis.

Can I Still Get The Flu Shot?

The NIAC and CDC, have also recommended that the seasonal influenza vaccine and Covid-19 booster can be administered at the same time, but advise to use different limbs (arms).

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Myhomecare Doubles Workforce with 300 New Healthcare Jobs

Press Release

Myhomecare Doubles Workforce with 300 New Healthcare Jobs

95% of New Roles Will Be Homecare Nurses

Myhomecare is doubling its workforce through the creation of 300 jobs as part of a major recruitment campaign. This campaign was created in recognition of the high level of demand in the home care space, especially this winter.

Established in Dundalk, Louth in 2006 by Servisource Recruitment (part of the CPL Group), Myhomecare currently employs over 220 staff nationwide, which include homecare workers and administrative staff.

Out of the 300 new jobs, over 95% of them will be homecare positions, homecare assistants or homecare nurses, all of which will be flexible carer roles. The campaign will be recruiting for these varied positions across the 26 counties of Ireland.

Pictured L-R: Myhomecare Clinical Nurse Manager Susanne Kelly, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Myhomecare CEO Declan Murphy, Myhomecare Operations Manager Deirdre Doyle

Speaking on Myhomecare’s job creation campaign, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said

“This is an incredible expansion by Myhomecare, doubling its workforce and creating 300 new jobs. These additional homecare nurses and assistants will make a big difference to countless people and families up and down the country, allowing those with additional needs to stay in the comfort of their own home.”

“It will of course also take some pressure off of hospitals, by allowing people to return home and be looked after there, rather than in a hospital. Congratulations to the team involved.“
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar

“From my own previous experience as a healthcare assistant, I understand the impact and responsibility these roles bring. It is such a rewarding career knowing that we are making a difference in the lives of those most vulnerable in our community.”

“We are extremely excited to welcome 300 additional healthcare professionals into the Myhomecare family, doubling our existing workforce to over 520 nationwide.“

says Myhomecare Operations Manager Deirdre Doyle.

Senator John McGahon endorsed Myhomecare’s campaign saying,

“It is fantastic to see local Louth company Myhomecare creating 300 incredibly valuable jobs across Ireland. Supporting our elderly community in continuing a safe and independent life in their own homes is something we should always strive for and these new roles will certainly assist in achieving this.”
Senator John McGahon

Myhomecare is a HSE recognised national supplier of homecare. Their homecare services have been designed to assist expecting mothers, babies, and young and older adults from birth to retirement and beyond.

Myhomecare are the only home care sector in Ireland that currently holds the International Gold Seal in quality by JCI, joining an exclusive group of 24 Homecare companies globally. This accreditation demonstrates the excellence in service delivery from the Myhomecare team and their dedication to their staff, clients, and their families.

Photo Accreditation to Conor Matthews Photography.

Want to join the Myhomecare team?

If you are caring and compassionate, then take the first step and click ‘Join now’. We are looking for people like you to join our winning homecare team!

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Alzheimer’s 10 Warning Signs

This year’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Month’s theme centres around the 10 warning signs of Dementia and the importance of an early diagnosis. The World Alzheimer Report 2021 has highlighted that 75% of people with dementia globally are undiagnosed, equating to 41 million people.

In Ireland 64,000 people are currently living with Dementia. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland reported that figure is expected to double to over 150,000 in 25 years, 2045. With 30 people diagnosed each day with dementia, 11,000 new cases a year, it is important to highlight the key warning signs and symptoms to allow for an early diagnosis.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of Dementia, linked to over half of reported cases. It’s a result of a build-up of protein in the brain (amyloid) that forms plagues surrounding the brain cells, impairing the functionality of the brain.

An early diagnosis allows you and your circles of care to plan for the future, maximise your quality of life, access resources, support and information and develop a treatment plan. At present there is unfortunately no cure for Alzheimer’s and dementia however an early diagnosis can slow and, in some cases, stop the progression of the disease, allowing for an extended quality of life.

While there is no one size fits all when looking at the symptoms of a person presenting with dementia as they can be unique to that individual and the type of dementia, the following are the 10 most common warning signs.

Memory loss
Difficulty performing familiar tasks
Problems with language
Disorientation to time and place
Poor or decreased judgement
Problems keeping track of things
Misplacing things
Changes in mood and behaviour
Trouble with images and spatial relationships
Withdrawal from work or social activities

1. Memory Loss

Lapses in our memory can be common, especially as we age. Memory loss becomes a cause for concern when a person is unable to remember people, conversations or things that may have happened recently.

A persistent decline in short-term memory can result in the inability to organise thoughts and language issues such as difficulty in finding the right word. Identifying family members, places and objects may also become more challenging.

2. Problems with Language

This decline can also lead to repetition of a story or questions numerous times without realising it. Many people with Alzheimer’s and dementia suffer from Aphasia, the inability to comprehend and formulate language, making conversations difficult to conduct or follow.

Short-term memory loss is the first symptom people associate with dementia however it is not always the first warning sing.

3. Difficulty in performing familiar tasks

Difficulty in performing familiar tasks is an indication a person may be suffering with Alzheimer’s and dementia. This can range from tasks which require planning and multiple steps such as cooking to basic tasks like bathing or dressing incorrectly, i.e., clothing on backwards or in the wrong order.

4. Disorientation with time and place

Disorientation with time and place are linked to a decline in memory. Keeping track of what date/month/season are key warning signs. Sometimes the person may forget where they are or how they got to a certain place, even if it is a familiar place to them.

5. Poor or decreased judgement

Major changes in judgement or decision making such as uncharacteristic behaviour in social situations, managing money poorly or trouble looking after themselves are subtle but important symptoms to note.

6. Problems keeping track of things

Keeping track of monthly bills, working with numbers, spending money frivolously and being uncharacteristically generous be early indicators of Alzheimer’s and dementia as these tasks require a lot of abstract thinking.

7. Misplacing things

Misplacing things is another common trait that many of us may have in our day-to-day life. A person presenting with Alzheimer’s and dementia however may misplace items in strange or unusual places and be unable to retrace their steps because of disorientation.

8. Changes in mood and behaviour

Irritability and rapid mood swings are key changes in behaviour linked with Alzheimer’s and dementia. The person suffering can become confused as a result of other symptoms, causing them to become emotional, lash out and even depressed. It is important to remember that a person suffering still has emotions but a reduced capacity to communicate. They may be in pain or discomfort and unable to accurately express this.

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities

These behavioural changes may lead to a withdrawal from the usual social interaction or even work as they begin to experience some lapses in memory. Many behaviour changes will result in a more sedentary life, sitting in front of the TV for hours or sleeping more often.

10. Trouble with images and spatial relationships

Whilst many people will notice a change in vision as they age, people with dementia can develop issues with determining colour, seeing objects in three dimensions or problems judging distance. Spatial awareness can decrease leading to a lack or balance, spilling food or drinks more often and tripping over more.

If you are someone you are worried about is presenting any symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia, it is important to consult your GP for further advice and referral.

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