Caregiver is honoured for heroic efforts during ‘Beast from the East'

Staff at Home Instead Senior Care in the midlands are looking forward to Joe Duffy’s Liveline: Call Back, which revisits their colleague’s heroic caregiving feats during the ‘Beast from the East’ earlier this year.

Offaly native Cecelia Dowling, who started with the well-known home care company in 2012, borrowed a tractor from her brother to make sure she could get to her elderly clients during the weeks of heavy snow.

“Winter can be a challenge for seniors at the best of times, but the snow that was brought by the Beast from the East had a very serious impact on older people, and particularly those who rely on home care services,” says Jonathan Acton, managing director of the midlands branch of Home Instead.

“Cecelia, who is admired and respected by her colleagues and clients alike, showed tremendous dedication to the welfare of her clients, by driving to their homes in a tractor.

“Her efforts were noticed in the community, and then by Joe Duffy, who had her on Liveline to discuss the challenges older people face in wintertime.

“We couldn’t be prouder of Cecelia and we look forward to reliving her dedication on Thursday next,” adds Jonathan.

This wasn’t the first time Cecelia has received recognition for her work at Home Instead Westmeath – she was Leinster CAREGiver of the year in 2016.

Home Instead Midlands is currently recruiting more CAREGivers to join its winning team, which works across counties Westmeath, Longford and Offaly.

The company provides a wide range of home care services, from companionship and personal care to dementia care. Home Instead CAREGivers get fantastic training opportunities and support from the offices, including ongoing, world-class training and access to QQI training programmes.

Pay is competitive, hours are flexible and the office shows its appreciation for CAREGivers at regular social events.

To apply for a CAREGiver job at Home Instead Midlands, visit HomeInstead.ie/Become-a-CAREGiver (choose your county during the application process) or call 044 938 5260.

To hear Cecelia’s full story, don’t miss Joe Duffy’s Liveline Callbacks, on RTÉ 1, Thursday December 20 at 7pm.