A six-week service which gives carers the ability to look after themselves to deal effectively with their loved one’s care has been established by the Irish Heart Foundation.
The free programme includes up to six one-hour sessions giving participants an opportunity to share worries and frustrations and learn practical tools to help them cope as a carer.
Tracy Egan, patient support manager at the Irish Heart Foundation said: “Becoming a carer for someone who has survived a stroke, is a huge undertaking physically, mentally and emotionally.
“When people are affected by stroke the new regime can be totally overwhelming for those caring for them.
“It is important that carers take care of their own mental and physical health so that they can have a reasonable quality of life, provide the care their loved ones need and cope with the demands of life as a carer.”
The counselling has helped Roscommon mother-of-two Carol Beirne as she learns to cope with life alongside a stroke survivor.
I felt a weight was lifted off my shoulders
When Eamonn suffered a stroke 11 months ago, the roles were suddenly reversed for 65-year-old Carol who, for a time, had been cared for by her husband when she had mobility issues.
“Sometimes there are things you just can’t say to your children and my counsellor just listened.
“By the third week of the six weeks of hourly sessions, I felt a weight was lifted off my shoulders,” Ms Beirne said.
“The stroke left Eamonn with hidden disabilities.
“He has trouble processing his thoughts and some days, his speech is affected as he struggles to get the words out.
“Sometimes you want to finish his sentences but know not to as it’s very frustrating for him, especially when he’s talking to old colleagues who don’t know that he had a stroke.
“I learned to handle Eamonn’s emotions and frustrations and got an insight and understanding on how he must be feeling.
“Every time I walked out of a session, I was walking on air.
“A few years ago, Eamonn had cared for me when I had mobility issues and now I was all of a sudden helping him.
“The roles were completely reversed which was hard for both of us.
“I used to depend on him, but now we are working as a team.
“The counselling has also given me the confidence to write, which I give myself time to do in the mornings and in turn, it gives Eamonn his space to get emotionally ready for the day.”
To avail of the free counselling, please email carers@irishheart.ie or contact the Irish Heart Foundation on 01 668 5001.
