Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)

For generations in Ireland, elderly people were mainly cared for in the family home. It was a given that younger family members committed themselves to caring for elderly parents and grandparents. Most homes throughout the country had three generations under the same roof. It was not always easy but it worked. It had to work because there were very few suitable alternatives available.

Ireland today bears little resemblance to the Ireland of those days. Life today is much more demanding. While home care for the elderly continues, financial pressures mean more couples need to have both partners working outside the home to meet their financial commitments. This makes providing full-time care for an elderly dependent family member in the home much more challenging. For many couples, giving up one job may mean losing the family home. As an elderly person's needs increase, the time and effort required to meet them also increase. Eventually, tough decisions must be made to ensure the well-being of everyone is protected.

For some, that involves an elderly person entering a nursing home. This can be a difficult decision, particularly when the older person is happy in the family environment. However, mobility issues and medical dependencies may leave little option. Many elderly people, after consideration, are happy to move into a nursing home and enjoy the daily routine that is geared towards their needs. There are excellent nursing homes across the country providing top-class care. The standard of all nursing homes cannot be judged on the basis of one television programme.

Many more families would choose to continue caring for older relatives at home if it were financially possible and viable to do so and if the necessary supports were in place. Increasingly, more people are opting to become a family carer for an elderly relative. These family carers provide 24-7 support. They put their lives on hold to ensure their elderly loved ones can remain in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their own homes and communities. They find themselves protecting the safety of the older person, learning to understand their individual needs, managing their medications, dealing with hygiene care and dietary needs, and arranging and accompanying the person to medical appointments. For the most part, they do this without organised suitable transport in place to assist them. Family carers are unsung heroes. They juggle an indeterminate number of tasks and are driven solely by care, love and the wish of their family member to remain living at home.

I strongly urge that the long-awaited adult safeguarding legislation due to be published by the Department be prioritised. The Bill will secure people's right to safety, dignity and respect. It must be subject to regular reviews and it must be widely publicised to make its objectives known and ensure its effectiveness.

See this speech in context