Dad, 84, ‘under awful stress’ as son’s care package set to end
Alphie Lonergan, 84, is facing significant strain as the care support for his two adult children—Ronan and Donall—draws to a close. Both sons, in their 40s, have severe learning disabilities and reside with their father in Loughgilly, a rural area of County Armagh. The care package, initially three hours daily, has been reduced to just one hour for Ronan since March 2024. By Friday, the full support will be withdrawn, leaving Alphie to manage both without assistance.
“Thank God I’m in good shape, physically. Mentally I’m under awful, awful stress,” Alphie said, expressing concern over the upcoming challenge.
Ronan’s care was cut first, resulting in fewer hours of support at home. Donall, who also has autism and obsessive compulsive disorder, now receives one hour of help each day to assist with morning routines. Alphie shared that Donall has a meticulous process: brushing his teeth three times and checking his laces six times before being ready for the day. Despite this, the reduction in care has made daily life more demanding.
The Southern Health Trust acknowledged the stress caused to the Lonergan family, attributing the decision to withdraw the care package to a shortage of social care staff. While the trust is working with the family to find solutions, it noted that recruitment and retention of workers, particularly in rural regions, remain difficult. “We continue to actively pursue a range of potential options to maintain the service for this family,” the trust stated, including reviewing rosters and collaborating with other teams for additional support.
Alphie’s two daughters provide some help, but the uncertainty has created a heavy burden for the entire family. “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 phone them: ‘Would you come down here, I’m stuck.’ ” This added pressure is affecting their well-being.
Alphie also struggles with rest, as Donall often stays awake until the early hours. “I wouldn’t be sleeping that great,” he admitted. “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.”
In November, it was confirmed that some social care staff would not benefit from the pay offer given to Northern Ireland healthcare workers. The offer, intended to prevent industrial action, covered doctors, nurses, and auxiliary staff but excluded independent homecare workers. Funding for the Real Living Wage was available, but its application to these workers has yet to be fully realized.
