As state residential care lacks, parents fear they will die before a long-term plan is put in place for their adult children with disabilities
Frances Ryan, who worries for the future, with her sons Ben, Corey and Bobby from Glenbrien, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. Photo: Patrick Browne
Catriona O’Mahony has spent years trying not to picture the moment she dreads most, her son Cian ending up in a nursing home or emergency placement when she becomes too old or too unwell to care for him.
Now 62, she is the full‑time carer for her son Cian, who is 24 and has moderate to severe global developmental disorder, autism and a personality disorder.