Dad's Struggle: Care Cut for Sons with Disabilities

0:00On April 7th, an 84-year-old man in Northern Ireland is sounding the alarm as the main caregiver for his two sons, both in their 40s with, severe learning disabilities. Alfie Lonergan has been handling most of their daily needs at home, but his local health trust slashed their support package from three hours a day. Down to just one for one son, and now even that's ending this Friday. Ronan's care got cut back in March of last year, leaving Alfie to pick up the slack on his own. For Donald, who also deals with autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder, that single-hour helps with basics like getting up and dressed, but without it. I, things get real tough since Alfie can't physically manage a grown man who resists. The whole family feels the strain, with Alfie's daughters jumping in despite their own kids and jobs, and he's barely sleeping because Donald stays, up late into the night. It's a constant worry that's wearing everyone down, especially at his age. The Southern Health Trust apologized for the stress, but blames a shortage of social care workers, especially in rural spots.

1:05They're scrambling to tweak schedules, tap other teams, and chase extra staff. But no luck so far, and home care workers missed out on recent pay. Raises that went to nurses and doctors. This hits hard amid bigger numbers, with Northern Ireland's last census showing folks aged 45 to 64, carrying the heaviest unpaid. Carrying loads, shining a light on how many families are stretched thin, just like the Lonergan's.