Praise for IWA workers supporting people in their homes

 

Irish Wheelchair Association’s frontline workers in Cavan are continuing to support people with physical disabilities in their homes during the COVID-19 crisis.
The organisation has set up an emergency response team to continue to reach people with disabilities, who may become sick with the coronavirus and isolated.
Louise Cahill, Service Manager in Cavan, said it is a “very worrying time” for people who IWA's services and are dependent on their assistance to allow them to remain living safely in their own homes.

Many service users are aware that due to their disability they are extremely vulnerable to COVID-19.
“Members of our community outreach and assisted living teams are among the many heroic frontline healthcare staff who are courageously committed to reaching the most vulnerable during this very difficult time,” said Louise.
“Our assisted living workers are visiting people’s homes, helping them to live independently and to carry out vital everyday tasks such as personal care, cooking and household chores.
“Our outreach team nationwide is providing social support such as shopping, collecting prescriptions, providing transport to banks & post offices, helping people to pay online bills and assisting people to apply for welfare payments as well as calling for a chat both in person and on the phone,” she added.
Louise says that activities that would usually take place in community centres are being brought to people’s homes, such as arts and crafts.

“We are developing an online physical and mental wellness package, so people can access low-impact exercise classes and mindfulness tools to help people stay well physically and mentally as the crisis takes hold.
“The new emergency response team will act as a third layer of support following family and the HSE, if one of our service users has to go into self-isolation.”
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, IWA has though been forced to postpone nationwide fundraising efforts, and close its network of charity shops. Like many organisations and businesses it has regrettably had to lay off valued staff members temporarily, who have contributed greatly to building its services to where they are today.
The charity supports 4,000 people with physical disabilities every week in Ireland across a spectrum of needs and is now appealing to the public for support.
“Each year Irish Wheelchair Association needs to raise €2million over and above our HSE funding to keep our vital services running,” said Louise Cahill. “We are aware that it is a difficult time for everyone and we’re asking people to make a donation to support our frontline workers, if they can afford to.”