At 59, Janice Sweeney did not think that her life would revolve entirely around her parents’ care. Years ago, she moved out of Dublin to buy her own home in another county, carving out independence and a life of her own.
Her sister stayed behind to live at home with her parents, taking responsibility for their day-to-day safety. But when her sister passed away, Janice was confronted with a reality she hadn’t fully faced: her parents had grown older, frailer, and now needed constant care.
Even with professional caregivers visiting daily, Janice found herself assuming responsibility the moment they left. Her parents’ routines became her routines. Hospital visits, medications, meals, and household management now define her days. Social outings, hobbies, or personal time have become rare luxuries, and even the occasional day at her own home feels like a temporary reprieve rather than a sustainable balance.
Janice is caught in a delicate catch-22: wanting to maintain her independence but knowing her parents’ wellbeing depends on her presence.
Janice’s story is far from unique. Women make up the majority of informal caregivers across Ireland, providing the essential day-to-day support that allows older adults to remain at home.
According to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, approximately 64,000 people are living with dementia in the country, with numbers projected to exceed 150,000 by 2045. Many continue to live in their communities rather than in residential care, meaning adult children like Janice often shoulder the bulk of caregiving responsibilities, sometimes putting careers, social lives, or personal plans on hold to meet the needs of their parents.
The burden of caregiving is not only physical but deeply emotional. Dementia, in particular, can make everyday interactions unpredictable, with memory loss, confusion, or behavioural changes adding layers of complexity to the care routine.
As population ages, dementia is not just a medical issue but a social one.
The growing demand for care, support services and long-term planning means the challenge of dementia will increasingly shape the country’s healthcare system, economy and family life in the decades ahead. Video below explains in more detail.
The Health Service Executive and national research suggest that more than 180,000 people in Ireland are currently or have previously been carers for someone with dementia, highlighting the scale of unpaid labour carried out predominantly by women.
International Women’s Day offers a moment to reflect on this invisible yet vital work. The theme for 2026, “Give to Gain,” resonates profoundly in the context of caregiving.
Women like Janice give their time, energy, and personal freedom, often without recognition or financial reward. The gain the dignity, safety, and wellbeing of their loved ones, is immeasurable but rarely visible outside the home.
Awareness campaigns such as Denim for Dementia, held annually on 27 February, aim to change that. By encouraging people to wear denim in solidarity with those living with dementia and the families who care for them, the campaign highlights the quiet dedication of carers and the daily sacrifices they make.
It also prompts discussions about support systems, from respite services to community programmes, ensuring carers are not left to manage in isolation.
For Janice, the motivation remains simple yet profound. Each day begins with her parents’ routines: checking on medications, preparing meals, assisting with personal care, and guiding them through the challenges of daily life.
It is exhausting work, but she continues with patience, resilience, and unwavering compassion.
