The Voice of Bluebird Care

On this Episode Claire was joined by Suzanne Ryan, recently appointed Managing Director to Bluebird Care. Suzanne talks about her background in working in home care and her career before moving into that sector. She shares how important homecare is to her and why she is so passionate about the sector. She also discusses the challenges facing our ageing population and the home care sector. She also told us what her vision for bluebird care is and explained a new service proposition from Bluebird, called Live in Care 

On This episode we speak to Kevin Quaid. Kevin is the current Chair of the Irish Dementia Working Group, the Vice Chair of the European Working Group of People With Dementia and, the Co-founder of Lewy Body Ireland. Kevin is also a member of the Dementia Research Advisory Team as well as Dementia Trials Ireland. Kevin lives with lewy body dementia. He is the Author of two books about Lewy body dementia, his first book was ‘Lewy Body Dementia Survival and Me’, he has recently published his second book titled ‘I am KEVIN not Lewy’ and is now writing his third book. Kevin is also a motivational speaker and talks about becoming your own leader and looking for and finding the positives and passion in your life, Kevin has spoken at many conferences internationally as well as in Ireland and to many sports organisations and companies. Kevin bravely shares his story of how he was first diagnosed with parkinsons disease and subsequently with lewy body dementia. He talks about what its like to have these illnesses and what it is like for his family to live with that. He talks about his symptoms and how he became such a powerful advocate. He shares helpful advice on how to help and support loved ones through a dementia journey and the wonderful work he has done with bluebird care. Despite what he is managing with, Kevin is a stunningly inspirational and empowering man. 

This week we speak to Luke Dacaux, Corporate relations Manager with Age Action, In this episode Luke shares what Age Action is and does. He outlines the two core ways the organisation works; advocacy to the Government for older people and the provision of direct services. Explaining the ‘care and repair’ and ‘getting started’ services we hear how people can get involved as volunteers and all about the information service Age Action offer. He talks about what a typical age action service user might look like. Luke also talks about positive ageing week which takes place in October.  

On this episode host Claire Darmody is joined by Marie O’Connor consultant geriatrician in Connolly Hospital and national orthopedic hospital in Cappagh as part of the bring care home campaign.Marie explains the role of a geriatrician and shares very practical advice on how to live well as an older person, she also talks about what we can do earlier in life to help our future older self. She talks about a dementia diagnosis and what that means for a person and their family and she talks about the 12 modifiable risk factors. She discusses the importance of home care and highlights some of the serious challenges in our healthcare system facing our older population, in particular around the system for recovery after a short hospital stay and the return home and also the deficit of helpful services for older people. She also talks about how family members can best advocate for the older people in their life and navigate the care for them with respect. She explains an advanced healthcare directive or a living will and how important it is to discuss this.

In this episode Joseph talks about HCCI and his role within it, he explains how their members are home care providers across Ireland. He talks about how he works with government on policy and advocacy and works closely with the media and HSE. Joseph talks about the importance of home care and shares his own personal experience with care in the home. Joseph highlights how critical it is that home care as a career path and job choice needs to become more attractive with better training and benefits and he shares how the future of that might look. He also outlines the main challenges facing our ageing population, what he thinks needs to be done to move forward and what supports and changes are needed. Finally he shares how much it means to him to be a representative for companies like Bluebird Care and their teams. 

This week we chat to Gillian Kinahan, Director of Care with Bluebird Care Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Tipperary & East Cork. We explore Gillians journey into nursing and what made her choose Bluebird Care. Gillian also discusses the importance of nurse-level care in the home and shares why she believes people want to be cared for at home.

This episode is part of the ‘more than just a career in care series’ Claire is joined by Anne McMahon -Anne is a healthcare worker at Bluebird Care, North East and the recipient of the 2023 healthcare worker of the year award. Anne talks about her role and the training she was given to prepare for that role. She talks about what a typical day looks like, how Bluebird aim for consistency with clients where possible and how they build relationships and mind patients who might be a bit apprehensive. Anne also shared the importance of common sense and how the care she saw given to her mum was what led her into her career in homecare and her delight and pride at winning her award, listening to Anne its clear she loves what she does and sees her clients like family.

In this episode host Claire Darmody is joined by Karen O’Sullivan– Karen works as Karen O’Sullivan: Office Manager at Bluebird Care Dublin South and was named the 2023 Team Member of the Year. During this lively and dynamic chat Karen talks about the colourful career she had in the past including running a busy café and leading teams of people in a weight loss group, she shares what led her to working for Bluebird Care and outlines her current role there. Karen shares with Claire how the skills she gained in her other jobs have helped her in her current role, she describes what a typical day looks like for her and how much she loves to deal with people. She also talks about who might be suited to a career in the various aspects of homecare and finally talks about her pride (and shock) at the winning the award for 2023 Team Member of the Year.If you are exploring care for a loved one, you can find your local Bluebird Care office on www.bluebirdcare.ieIf, after listening, you feel you could make a difference to the lives of those needing homecare, learn more about careers with Bluebird Care by visiting www.bluebirdcarecareers.ie