Cork Carer of the Year Patrick Moloney, with Deputy County Mayor Ian Doyle, Patrick’s daughter Colette, Lord Mayor of Cork Des Cahill, Peter Cox Area Manager FCI, and Pat Grogan Regional Manager FCI.
The 2016 Cork Carer of the Year has been named as Patrick Moloney from Charleville, and Lord Mayor of Cork Des Cahill, and Deputy County Mayor Ian Doyle, presented Patrick with his very deserving certificate at a special ceremony held in his honour at City Hall on Thursday 3rd November. Patrick is 84 years old has been a full-time carer for his wife, Kathleen, since January 2013. Then aged 81, Patrick had no prior experience of caring but was determined to bring Kathleen home. Kathleen is a wheelchair user and has progressive cognitive difficulties. Patrick had their home entirely renovated to ensure it accommodated a wheelchair. Patrick is Kathleen’s sole carer and does everything for her, in addition to all the household chores, and the management of her care.
Commenting, Peter Cox, Family Carers Ireland Cork Area Manager said, “We are absolutely delighted that Patrick Moloney has been awarded Cork Carer of the Year 2016. Patrick is a truly remarkable person, who provides much love and care to his wife Kathleen.”
“Patrick is devoted to, and very protective of, Kathleen. Being without on-site family support, he takes sole responsibility for her care on a daily basis. He is very particular about her care and has immense patience with her. Taking on the role of carer was a major undertaking, particularly at his age, and given that he has his own health challenges. It also meant that he has largely abandoned his own interests, including his beloved woodturning. The carer role saw him develop new skills to allow him operate the necessary equipment and manage medication, and a normally non-assertive man became an advocate for his wife with the relevant bodies and practitioners.”
Peter Cox concluded, “Carers play an absolutely vital role in society, and they are at times the forgotten workforce. The Carers of the Year Awards, present an opportunity to celebrate the dedication and support carers provide to their loved ones every day throughout the year.”
All entries into the Carers of the Year Awards receive a commemorative certificate, and as Cork Carer of the Year 2016, Patrick will now attend a special ceremony in Dublin next Wednesday, November 16th, honouring award recipients from across the country. One family carer will be chosen as Ireland’s Carer of the Year 2016. This is the tenth year of the awards ceremony, and for the first time there will be four regional Young Carers of the Year Awards. 2015 saw a 400% increase in nominations for Young Carer of the Year.