MARION LALLY, GALWAY
“Mar was 18 and I was 19 when we got married. We always laugh that we were two hippies. I was into art, but she has the eye for design and made our house a home. It’s six years now since her diagnosis. It’s hard, it’s very hard. We get 15 hours a week practical support at home now which helps. Another lady comes in twice a week to spend time with Marion, which she loves. It’s a struggle, but home is home no matter what. I want to keep her here with me as long as possible.” - Ronnie, Marion’s husband
Marion is vibrant and caring and her husband Ronnie adores her. They brought up their four children in the heart of Galway city, surrounded by art and culture. They enjoyed life to the full. Marion was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s six years ago and life for Marion and Ronnie changed. Although Marion is still living at home, she has lost a lot of her independence and Ronnie retired early from his job to care for her fulltime. In the last year, Marion has received a dementia-specific homecare package through an HSE pilot scheme, with support from Genio. This means that Marion has someone who comes to her home to provide personalised supports 3 hours a day, five days a week. This has helped her maintain some independence and to continue living at home. Ronnie can spend some time being her husband rather than fulltime carer. Marion and Ronnie continue to enjoy art and design and they are working on a painting together, when Marion feels up to it. She loves spending time with her children and grandchildren and to chat with friends over cups of tea. There are many challenges ahead, but personalised homecare has meant that Marion can be supported in her own home with Ronnie for as long as possible.