Dad, 84, ‘under awful stress’ as son’s care package set to end

Dad, 84, ‘under awful stress’ as son’s care package set to end

At 84, Alphie Lonergan serves as the main caregiver for his two adult children, Ronan and Donall, who are in their 40s and have severe learning disabilities. Both sons reside at home with their father, relying on a once-three-hour care arrangement offered by their local health trust. This support, however, has been significantly reduced. By 2024, Ronan’s care time was cut to a single hour, and the full package is now scheduled to end this week.

“Thank God I’m in good shape, physically. Mentally I’m under awful stress,” Alphie said, expressing concern about his ability to manage without the care support.

The Southern Health Trust issued an apology for the strain on the Lonergan family, citing staffing shortages as the reason for the cuts. Despite their efforts, the trust noted that recruiting and retaining social care workers, particularly in rural areas like Loughgilly in County Armagh, remains challenging.

Donall, who is also autistic and has obsessive compulsive disorder, currently receives an hour of daily assistance to help with morning routines. Alphie shared that the son’s meticulous habits—brushing teeth three times and checking laces six times—make the task demanding. While the brothers attend day centers in nearby towns during the day, Alphie is the sole provider of care at home.

“Donall doesn’t get up until the carer arrives—you can’t lift a boy in his 40s out of bed and get him up on his feet who doesn’t want to do it,” he added.

Alphie’s mental health is also tested by Donall’s tendency to stay awake late into the night, walking between rooms and closing doors. “I wouldn’t be sleeping that great,” he remarked. “He’s very careful, he wouldn’t do any harm. But I’m aware of it, I can’t switch off.”

The family has received support from Alphie’s two daughters, though the uncertainty of the care package’s end has created tension. “My two daughters were thrown in at the deep end from an early age,” he said. “They have their own children, they’re trying to hold down their jobs, and I have to call them: ‘Would you come down here, I’m stuck.’ That’s very stressful for them as well.”

In November, it was revealed that some social care workers would not benefit from the pay offer extended to Northern Ireland healthcare staff. This offer, designed to prevent industrial action, included doctors, nurses, and auxiliary staff but excluded independent sector homecare workers. Funding for the Real Living Wage was available, yet no additional staff have volunteered to cover the gap.