Should you require information and support, we are here.
Please contact info@braintumourireland.com or call 085 721 9000 (Mon to Thurs for the phone line).
Brain Tumour Ireland also currently runs two online support groups, one for people with brain tumours and the other for their family members and carers. There are also two specific regional groups; one for the North-West and one for the South-East.
Please see below or get in touch with us if you would like to find out more about any of the groups.
Family support group
Brain Tumour Ireland’s Family Support Group is for the family members and carers of people with brain tumours. The group currently meets online and is free to attend. To register your place, please contact info@braintumourireland.com
Financial support
If you are caring for somebody at home who has a Brain Tumour you may be entitled to some financial assistance. The Department of Social Protection offers a number of different payments to those who meet certain criteria. The payments they offer include:
Carers Allowance Payment
The Carer’s Allowance is a payment for carers on low incomes who look after people in need of full-time care and attention. If you satisfy a means test, and are caring full-time for someone who needs constant care and attention, then you may be entitled to a Carer’s Allowance from the Department of Social Protection.
To apply fill in an application form for Carers Allowance. This form is available from your local Social Welfare Office or is available to download at welfare.ie
Carers Benefit Payment
Carer’s Benefit is a payment made to employees who have paid adequate social insurance, but who leave the workforce to care for a person(s) in need of full-time care and attention.
To apply fill in an application form for Carers Benefit. This form is available from your local Social Welfare Office or is available to download at welfare.ie
Carers Support Grant (formerly called Respite Care Grant)
The Carer’s Support Grant is an annual payment made to carers by the Department of Social Protection. The name was changed in 2016. It was formerly called the Respite Care Grant.
For more information or to send completed application forms contact:
Department of Social Protection, Carer’s Benefit Section, Social Welfare Services Office, Government Buildings, Ballinalee Road, Longford, Ireland.
Tel:(043) 334 0000 | Locall:1890 92 77 70 | Homepage: welfare.ie
For more information or to send completed application forms contact:
Department of Social Protection, Carer’s Benefit Section, Social Welfare Services Office, Government Buildings, Ballinalee Road, Longford, Ireland.
Tel:(043) 334 0000 | Locall:1890 92 77 70 | Homepage: welfare.ie
Support services
Caring for someone with a brain tumour.
If you feel you need to talk to someone or need advice there are a number of people who you can contact including your GP, Public Health nurse or the hospital/hospice Social Worker.
Caring for somebody at home with a Brain Tumour can sometimes mean big changes to your life too and it is important that you know you are not alone and that support is out there if you need it. Don’t be afraid to ask. Some practical supports on offer in Ireland include:
Training
Training has been identified as one of the primary supports of practical benefit to carers.
Family Carers Ireland provides a range of training courses to provide the learner with all the practical skills and knowledge required to deliver high quality care both in the home and in other care related environments.
See here for more information.
They also provide a range of workshops which are run whenever there is sufficient demand. These workshops include Stoma Care; Diabetes; Continence Management; Challenging Behaviour; Falls, Prevention and Management; Elder Abuse; Infection, Prevention & Control; Peg Feeding; Patient Moving and Handling; Assisting Skills; Health & Safety in the home.
To book a course contact their Training Team on 057 9370221 or email training@familycarers.ie
Psychological support
Caring for someone with an illness can be a fulfilling experience but it can also be challenging.
If you feel you need to talk to someone or need advice, there are a number of people who you can contact including your GP, Public Health Nurse or the hospital/hospice Social Worker.
You can contact your local cancer support
centre or the Irish Hospice Foundation supports carers as well as brain tumour patients with meetings in Dublin, Cork and also in Galway with support from Cancer Care West.
Family Carers Ireland
Family Carers Ireland have a confidential Careline. Freephone 1800 24 07 24 to talk to their experienced and trained staff.
They will listen to your concerns and offer practical advice on a range of topics, including supports and services available from your Local Authority, HSE or offered by Family Carres Ireland in your area.
They have a number of local centres around the country.
Their website is familycarers.ie and you can find your local centre here.
- Dublin – Arc Cancer Support Centre: 01 215 0250
- Letterkenny/Donegal – Sligo Cancer Support Centre: 071 917 0399
- Mayo – Mayo Cancer Support Association: 094 903 8407
- Cork – Cork ARC House: 021 427 6688
- Louth – Gary Kelly Centre: 041 980 5100
- Wexford – Hope Centre: 053 923 8555
- Laois – Cuisle Centre: 057 868 1492
- Limerick – Cancer Information and Support Centre: 061 48 5163
- Sligo – Sligo Cancer Support Centre: 071 917 0399
- Patient Support Group and Family Support Group - The groups currently meet online and are free to attend. To register your place, please contact info@braintumourireland.com
Connect with other parents
If you wish to connect with other parents who understand what you are going through, you have come to the right place.
We would also like to hear from you about how we can provide longer-term support for parents and create a supportive community.
Please contact us and let us know, so we can best respond to your needs.