Southern Health Trust to End Care Package for 84-Year-Old Carer of Adult Sons in Northern Ireland

Alphie Lonergan, 84, is the primary carer for his two adult sons, Ronan and Donall, both in their 40s, who have severe learning disabilities and live at home with him. The Southern Health Trust previously provided a three-hour care package for both sons, which was reduced to one hour per day for Donall in 2024.

Ronan's portion of the care package ended in March 2024, decreasing the time carers spent in the home.

Donall also has autism and obsessive compulsive disorder. A carer currently visits for one hour each day to assist him with getting up and dressed. Lonergan stated that Donall does not get up until the carer arrives, as lifting a man in his 40s requires assistance when he is unwilling to do so.

The remaining care package for Donall is scheduled to end on Friday. Lonergan expressed concern about coping without this support, noting that he remains physically fit but experiences significant mental strain. He described his sons as great individuals whom he loves dearly.

receives assistance from his two daughters, who have their own children and jobs.

He often needs to call them for help when he is unable to manage alone. The uncertainty surrounding the care package has affected the entire family. Additionally, Lonergan struggles with rest because Donall stays up until the early hours, moving between rooms and closing doors.

This activity prevents Lonergan from sleeping well, though he noted that Donall is careful and does not cause harm.

The Southern Health Trust apologized for the stress caused to the Lonergan family.

The trust attributed the withdrawal to a lack of social care staff, particularly in rural areas like Armagh. It stated that it is pursuing options to maintain the service, including reviewing rotas, linking with multidisciplinary teams, and checking for staff availability from other areas, though no additional uptake has occurred yet.

This situation occurs amid broader challenges in Northern Ireland's care system.

A recent pay offer to avoid industrial action included doctors, nurses, and auxiliary staff but excluded homecare workers in the independent sector. Funding for the Real Living Wage was made available for those workers. According to the 2021 Census in Northern Ireland, approximately 222,000 people, or 12% of residents, provided some form of unpaid care.

About 70,000 individuals provided 50 hours or more of unpaid care per week, an increase from 56,000 in the 2011 census. People aged 45-64 often have more caring responsibilities, and around 3,000 children under 15 are carers. The end of the care package raises questions about future support for the Lonergan family and similar households.

Local health authorities may need to explore alternative resources to address staffing shortages and ensure continuity of care for vulnerable individuals.