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

Alphie Lonergan, 84, is the main caregiver for two adult sons, Ronan and Donall, both in their 40s, who have severe learning disabilities and reside at home. The care arrangement, initially a three-hour support service, was reduced to one hour per day for Ronan in 2024. This support is now scheduled to conclude on Friday, leaving Alphie to manage alone. He shared his feelings with The Nolan Show, noting,

“Thank God I’m in good shape, physically. Mentally I’m under awful, awful stress.”

Residents of Loughgilly, a rural area in County Armagh, the Southern Health Trust issued an apology for the strain on the family, attributing the decision to a shortage of social care staff. Ronan’s care ended in March 2024, which led to a decrease in the time carers spent at the home. Donall, who also has autism and obsessive compulsive disorder, currently receives one hour of daily assistance to help him get ready. Alphie described Donall’s routine,

“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.”

The family’s uncertainty extends to Alphie’s ability to rest. Donall’s habit of wandering through rooms and closing doors late into the night disrupts his sleep. He remarked,

“I wouldn’t be sleeping that great. He’s very careful, he wouldn’t do any harm, but he walks about from room to room, closing doors. I’m aware of it, I can’t switch off.”

Alphie’s two daughters provide some support, but their own responsibilities, including childcare and work, add to the pressure. He said,

“My two daughters were thrown in at the deep end from an early age. They have their own children, they’re trying to hold down their jobs, and I have to phone them: ‘Would you come down here, I’m stuck.’ That’s very stressful for them as well.”

The Southern Health Trust highlighted staffing challenges, particularly in rural regions, while expressing efforts to find solutions. In a statement, they noted,

“We continue to actively pursue a range of potential options to maintain the service for this family; including continuously reviewing rotas in the Armagh and surrounding areas to see if we can create additional capacity as well as linking with other multidisciplinary teams to seek support.”

In November, it was confirmed that some social care staff would not receive the pay offer made to Northern Ireland healthcare workers. The offer, designed to prevent industrial action, included funding for the Real Living Wage but excluded homecare workers in the independent sector. This has left Alphie and his family grappling with the full weight of their circumstances. According to the most recent Census in Northern Ireland, conducted in 2021, the situation reflects broader systemic pressures.