What Our Carers Say
Tereza
“I love being a live-in carer because my life has a purpose.”
Maria
“I love being a live-in carer because it makes me feel part of the family. ”
George
“I love being a caregiver, because helping others is like a caress for the soul.”
Jerzy
“I love being a live-in carer because our help and sacrifice for others should never disappear from the surface of our planet because we live only for ourselves. Let us never forget about those older ones who sacrificed their lives for us when we were little so that we ourselves can be here today. I also love it because it allows me to discover and learn a lot about myself and others, it is sometimes full of challenges but also satisfaction and the feeling of fulfilling a good duty.”
Aneta
“ I love being a live-in carer because the essence of my job is spreading love and kindness. What a treat! Live-in care allows elderly people to stay in the home that they love and feel safe and supported. I find it very precious. ”
Erika
“I love my job as a carer because it gives me what I couldn’t find anywhere else. ”
Spending time with my client is like finding gold because they have a lifetime of experiences.
The stories we can hear from our clients are precious ... their interesting experiences, their smiles, the way they tell those stories.
I love my job because I find joy in it, every day is interesting and different.
I love my job for the many experiences and the unforgettable memories.
That's why I love my job.
Anna
“I love being a live-in carer because I can help people who need care, help them in their everyday life.”
Teresa
“I love being a live-in carer because old people are works of art.”
Sabine
“I love being a live-in carer because it’s rewarding to add value to someone’s life and making a person happy. ”
Tereza
“I love being a live-in carer because it allows me to express and increase my empathy and compassion for those who need support.”
Dominika
“I love being a live-in carer because in my job I go for walks in the sunshine, I bake chocolate cakes, I colour flowers in colouring books, I play cards and board games, I sing along and dance to old Irish songs….because this is what makes my client happy and when she is happy, I am happy too.”
Sandy
“I love being a live-in carer because I believe that the third age deserves respect and support.”
Laima
“I like being a live-in carer because my heart is full of warmth and love for people and I can share it with the elderly and it makes me happy”
I trust It will bring goodness into my own life if I make positive changes in another person's life
I very quickly get intangible remuneration such as a smile and the gratitude of an elderly person and it makes me happy.
Zofia
“ I love being a live-in carer because I like to help and if I can make my clients smile and be content, it gives me joy and energy for this work.”
While doing my job I always ask myself: "Would I like to be looked after like this if I were in their shoes?"
Older people deserve good care, because in their lives they have probably done a lot of good for others and in their old age they need our help and this is what we do.
Maria
“I love being a carer because all the love I give is returned to me in greater and unexpected ways.”
At the end of the day, I'm happy because my presence in someone's life made a positive difference.
I feel I might not be able to change the world, but I can change another human being's world (for the better).
Every smile, every loving word, every kind action are the tools of my work, and with them I can do wonders (towards another person).
It only takes a smile or a kind word to touch their hearts and make their day.
You start it as a job, but very soon/suddenly you fall in love with their soul.
I love being the reason for someone's smile :)
Ewa
“I love being a live-in carer because helping others is truly life changing”
Older people have interesting stories to tell.
I love listening to what their life was like, their life experiences and what they’ve gone through. Getting to know someone on a personal level always brings more respect and compassion in me. The feeling of caring for and helping someone is rewarding and healing in a way.
When you know that they trust you, they feel safe with you and they feel like they matter and they give you that smile, you know you’re making a difference in their life.”
Esmeralda
“I love being a live-in carer because it isn't just a job…it’s the opportunity for me to carry on my love for helping others.”
Ewa
“I love being a live-in carer because it makes me happy.”
Isabel
“I love being a live-in carer because it makes me happy to be able to help elderly people with their daily activities and take care of them as if they were my own parents.”
Irena
“I love being a live-in carer because it gives me a lot of experience and it will also be useful when, at some point, I need to take care of my own elderly parents.”
Sofia
“I love being a live-in carer because this work is about dealing with people, helping people in their home and I don’t even have to leave the house where I live to do this wonderful job!”
Alexandra
“I love being a live-in carer because, I believe the act of giving is one of the most fulfilling experiences in life and it has helped me develop as a human being.”
Justyna
“I love being a live-in carer because this job is truly valuable itself.”
Yvonne
“I love being a live in carer because when someone becomes unable to care for themselves it can be a heartbreaking experience for the whole family. Being a carer is a tough, yet fulfilling role that can be hard for others to understand fully. Once you are a carer, you know that every day you will touch a life and that will touch you as well.”
Every morning, wake them up, help them get dressed, brush their hair so they look their best, make their bed and wash their clothes. The little things that no one knows, I hold their hands when they're scared, I talk to them when no one is there, I am their friend when they're alone, I treat them like family, like one of my own…Be helpful when you see a person without a smile, give them yours, impossible situations can become a possible miracle.
I have two hands, one to help myself and one to help others. I gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience. It's not how much I do, but how much love I put in the doing. I love being a carer because I know I will be getting older myself through this pathway to the end of my life.
Małgorzata
“I love being a live-in carer because thanks to my knowledge and experience, I can give my clients, despite their illness, support every day, understanding, a smile and sharing their passion. This work teaches humility and respect for the elderly who should be treated with the dignity and the respect they deserve.”
Vanda
“I love being a live-in carer because helping others gives me the greatest gift and the greatest feeling knowing that I making a difference in someone life.”
Elwira Pagielska
“Now I have the life I dreamed of. All this time, I worked for ALHomecare and I received from them not only support and help but above all a sense of security, which was important to me. ”
I came to Ireland for a better life and of course with some fear and anxiety. But I was guided by the following saying:
Do you want a beautiful life? Then start over and over and over until you get what it is. Do what you fear most, and people are afraid of two things: starting something new and finishing something old.
Today, after 5 years, I can definitely admit that I succeeded, that I made the right decision then. Now I have the life I dreamed of. All this time, I worked for ALHomecare and I received from them not only support and help but above all a sense of security, which was important to me. The certainty that I can always rely on them gave me inner peace and allowed me to concentrate on my passion i.e. travel.
I would like to express my gratitude to Tom and the entire ALHomecare team for successful long-term cooperation.
Helen Santos
“I would strongly recommend this type of work in this country, to anyone who is empathetic, likes working with people and is willing to live away from home. ALHomecare will provide you with all the training you need”
I am Portuguese, but before coming to Ireland I had been working in the UK for seventeen years, mostly with mental health. Over the last three years of this period, however, I had become a live-in carer for clients in London. I found I much preferred this role to my previous one, as it allows for long-term one to one engagement with the client and for real friendships to flourish.
When Brexit began to loom, with all the uncertainty about whether foreign workers would be allowed to remain and work in Britain or not, my stress and discomfort levels began to rise, and eventually I decided to leave the country.
So I began to search for work in Ireland as I had previously been to Dublin a couple of times on holiday and had really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, the playfulness of the people and the Irish culture with its great music and literature. Ireland is English speaking and a member of the EU, both of which I found familiar and reassuring.
While on holiday in Portugal and during my online search, I stumbled by luck on ALHomecare’s website and contacted them straight away. Tom Quinlan got back to me almost immediately and in a most friendly and welcoming way! I was very pleasantly struck by his warm and personal approach which contrasted strongly with the more impersonal and corporate attitudes I had previously experienced with other agencies. Tom made me feel appreciated as a new member to his team, he made everything straight forward and easy, and reassured me he would remain available on the phone and at my side, every step of the way as I transitioned into my new country of choice.
He absolutely kept his word! My application and Garda Vetting processes went through smoothly and without a hitch. I was soon placed with a family in Co. Cork where I spent nine of the most enjoyable months of my whole working life! I found rural Ireland charming, the people unbelievably friendly and helpful, and my client, an elderly gentleman, incredibly respectful and appreciative of me. We really bonded! The natural beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way was an absolute bonus for exploring in my free time, and I made many new friends!
I have since been placed with two other families through ALHomecare and I have found them all great people to live and work with. At the moment I am looking after an elderly couple in a seaside town near Dublin. I will strongly recommend this type of work in this country, to anyone who is empathetic, likes working with people and is willing to live away from home. ALHomecare will provide you with all the training you need.
At first, I was fearful that six months might be too long a period to live with someone else, as in the UK I had worked on rotation with other carers and during shorter periods of time. But I took the plunge and have since found out, that the friendliness and acceptance you find here make the six months fly by!
Also, this way you don’t spend so much money on flights, and afterwards you can enjoy a longer holiday! Now with Covid 19 flying restrictions, and with so many people losing their jobs, I find I am so lucky to be employed full-time in a sheltered and safe home environment where every safeguarding precaution is taken extremely seriously!
As an agency, I have found ALHomecare excellent! Not only do they give you their undivided attention when you have a query, but they will get involved at your side if there is any kind of technical problem until it is sorted. ALHomecare has grown since I joined them, but I love the fact that they have retained their personal approach where each carer is a real individual that they know by name and truly value, rather than an abstract figure. You really feel you can count on them and that they are your friends, and not just another distant impersonal recruitment body. This is incredibly important when you are living away from home and family. I will always recommend them very highly.
Maria
“I love being a live-in carer because my heart rejoices when I see a smile on the face of an elderly person, which is the result of my help in everyday activities, and most of all by keeping company with the elderly person and fighting loneliness.”
Sofia Malaquias de Lemos
“Starting over halfway through life in a new career and in another country is scary......but with Alhomecare I found a "safe house" that protected, guided and helped me from the recruitment process to finding a family and a job.”
ALHomecare is an exceptional and honest organization that guides and takes care of us since I left Portugal until I started working in Ireland. A friendly, human, helpful and phenomenal team that delivers what it promises.
I already came with a signed contract, the family (my employer) returned the cost of the trip and ALHomecare have a process that allows the caregiver to choose the family they want to work with and the family to choose the caregiver.
ALHomecare is always available to support the entire process, psychological support, further clarification and we can even get a certificate in health care paid for by the family while we work.
At a time of high unemployment and very low wages in Portugal, being a live-in caregiver allows you to change someone's life for the better daily with patience and compassion, allowing the person to stay at home and at the same time improve your own financial life as it is beyond a good salary we do not pay rent or food.
ALHomecare is the best company I have worked for and I want to continue working for them for decades to come. Plus age is not an obstacle, they are always on our side to help and are excellent at smoothing out the difficult decision to leave everything behind and emigrate to another country with security and support and confidence throughout the process.
I only have the best to say about this company, ALHomecare is concerned with the happiness and well-being of caregivers so that they provide the best of themselves to the client and family.
In a world where there is no certainty, I guarantee that ALHomecare is the certainty of protection for those who decide to emigrate and become a live-in caregiver.
Ireland is a beautiful place with very friendly and welcoming people and a great quality of life.
This work is highly enriching in human and cultural terms.
ALHomecare is the best and most reliable company to accompany us from Portugal until the first day of work in Ireland.
We are never alone or lost thanks to the best director and team of a company I have ever encountered.
They guide us through the entire process and we can choose the time and conditions to the location and duration of the contract.
If you want to be a live-in caregiver in Ireland and start a new life abroad, choose ALHomecare that will guide and protect you from the first day of recruitment until the first day of work and throughout the placements.
Excellent, protective, available and reliable.....An exceptional team.
For a fresh start in Ireland as a full time caregiver, choose ALHomecare who is always there for us and is super honest!
You will never feel alone thanks to them!
Agnieszka Wysocka
“She greets me every morning with a smile on her face and that’s what gives me the strength to help her and to be here whenever needed”
At a certain moment, my life was “suspended” … not going forwards and
backwards. I had exhausted all possibilities except for one, returning to my old
profession after 23 years to be a nurse.
I finished an internship in Poland and I had the option of staying on after it had
finished but the wages in Poland are not descent enough to support myself and my
family. Nurses earn a very low wage in Poland. The solution was to move to Ireland,
probably Dublin, Here I could support my family back home in Poland.
Katarzyna from ALH showed great professionalism in all that she was doing. She
was with me every step of the way with support and advice. She simply “was there”
for me which I will be eternally grateful to her.
Everything went smoothly, and thus before the end of the year I started working for
my client. The lady I take care of is of elderly and has related ailments but she
greets me every morning with a smile on her face and that’s what gives me the
strength to help her and to be here whenever needed, even though sometimes it’s
hard. The smile rewards any inconvenience of this work. We laugh often and we are
nice, polite and respectful of each other, because that is what understanding
means.
Hanna Kiezik
“In my free time I like to explore and learn about the culture of this country. Irish people are nice, very accommodating”
I always wanted to see with my own eyes, the Emerald Isle…the country of the Celts with beguilingly beautiful music. So it was a good decision that I sent my resume to ALH. The staff at ALH gave me many valuable tips and general advice on working and living in Ireland. All my questions were answered with great consideration which was very important, especially when you are working in a foreign country with only a working knowledge of English. Working with older people gives me a lot of satisfaction. Here in Ireland I take care of a very aged gentleman, who despite his advanced age is doing very well which amazes me constantly. Thankfully he is quite healthy in mind and body.
In my free time I like to explore and learn about the culture of this country. Irish people are nice, very accommodating, tolerant and every week I go for sightseeing expeditions in places near and far. In this way I have come to explore many beautiful places including Kinsale and Blarney. I hope that I have acquired the gift of eloquence by kissing the Blarney stone! I also visit Cork city very often. I am glad that I live and work in Ireland because I can combine my work with the pleasure of traveling. My philosophy for life: work hard, have fun.
I chose a job in Ireland because I like Ireland and its people have a positive attitude to life.
Thank you ALH and in particular Kasia and Tom.
Karen Fletcher
“ALHomecare were phenomenal with their assistance, guidance and communication. ”
My journey with ALHomecare began in February 2020. I made the tough decision to immigrate from my home country, South Africa leaving my family behind. My goal was to become a live in carer and ALHomecare came highly recommended. Although I hold dual citizenship and am an Irish citizen, the process appeared quite daunting as I'd never worked in Ireland before or within the homecare environment. ALHomecare were phenomenal with their assistance, guidance and communication.
I secured my first placement with ALHomecare very soon after all my paperwork had been completed. It soon became evident that they go to great lengths to match carers with suitable families. The Covid pandemic had further complicated things and they went the extra mile to ensure the safety of both their clients and their carers. Their follow up support was invaluable and the fact that I felt I could call upon a member of the team at any time, was very comforting.
In my short time as a carer I've become passionate about the field. ALHomecare has played a vital role in facilitating this passion. Caring is a challenging but rewarding profession and I've been fortunate to have been placed with clients who have become like family to me and in turn I've been treated like family by my clients and their families. I've made friends along the way and embraced the welcoming, warm and humorous nature of the Irish people.
Caring in Ireland has also afforded me the opportunity to explore the country and fall in love with the way of life in Ireland as well as the beautiful scenery.
In conclusion I'd like to encourage anyone interested in taking the plunge into homecare, to do so. It is well worth it and you can't go wrong in Ireland with ALHomecare on your side.
"As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same" - Nelson Mandela
Stefania Mirzencu
“Thanks to ALHomecare I have the chance to do what I like most, to help others.”
I am writing this reference to recommend ALHomecare because I think they are the best care company in Ireland.
I am working as a live-in carer with ALHomecare since 1st of July 2019. As a care company, ALHomecare was always very helpful and resourceful. Starting with the first email I sent to the agency, we started our cooperation and this has developed into a very good relationship that I hope will last a long time.
My managers and the entire ALHomecare team are very engaged in all the matters regarding the well being of the clients and carers.
I got my first experience as a carer when I cared for my own father and when his health condition improved enough in mid 2019, I was able to leave my home country and come to Ireland. I had lived in Ireland before and I always hoped that I would return to Ireland but I had no vision about what I will do and what job I will aim for.
One of my Irish friends recommended that I should do a deeper search online and find out about working as a carer. My friend suggested that my personality would perfectly match this type of job.
So I made the decision and I started learning about becoming a carer and I searched online for information but nothing was satisfying until I emailed ALHomecare and they provided a lot of information and answered many questions I had at the time. Here I am today working with a wonderful team – who offered me a wonderful job, training and support 24/7.
I discovered ALHomecare online, on Google. After I emailed them and they clarified everything I needed to know, I decided to take the job. I have to say I couldn’t believe it was real, they were too polite to be true.
Along the way, my experience working for ALHomecare was the best I had and have until now. I couldn’t expect better from any company. I am very happy and content that they accepted me to work with them and I will always be grateful for this.
Thanks to ALHomecare I have the chance to do what I like most, to help others. I have met lots of wonderful people through ALHomecare. I refer here to all kinds of colleagues, HSE staff members, families, clients, medical staff and neighbours – which altogether made my experience working in Ireland great.
ALHomecare was always beside me when I needed something. If I had a problem or they just checked on me to make sure I was fine.
I am also proud of the training that ALHomecare provides to carers and also the course we are doing for getting the QQI Level 5 in Elderly Care.
ALHomecare are a great team and I am very happy to work for them and I have to mention if I needed to choose again, I would make the same choice.
Angelika Peć
“I am delighted with my experience with this family because they treat me like a member of their family”
We all reach a point in our lives when we ask ourselves: What next ? What are my plans for the future? The first idea that came to my mind was that I wanted to come to Ireland. I was here a few years ago on holidays and I saw that this country is beautiful, with picturesque views and a completely different culture of people. Irish people are very open and often smiling.
I decided to come to Dublin in search for a better life. I started to view job postings and came across a very interesting ad for a job as an carer of elderly people. It really made me intrigued, especially because I had experience of this wonderful profession years ago and it give me so much satisfaction to help elderly people. It also gave me a sense of humility and joy.
I looked after my own grandmother for four years. She suffered from dementia along with several other diseases. I helped her with daily activities related to personal hygiene, nutrition, medication, walks and elements of relaxation and rehabilitation. I carried out all these activities in a professional manner so as to ensure safety and a better high quality of life for my grandmother.
The recruitment process went very quickly. I received a number of proposals from families. The most attractive was from a family in Dublin. I am delighted with my experience with this family because they treat me like a member of their family. I have developed a great affection for them. My client is a wonderful person: warm, friendly and full of charisma. It gives me great satisfaction when my client smiles and the kind way she greets me when I come to help her everyday.
I have learned and improved my skills as a carer and I get a great amount of satisfaction knowing that I am doing a good job caring for my client.
Thank you very much for ALH because they support me in my work in terms of both the theory and practice of elderly care. I have the opportunity to continue my learning by participating in a professional course in my free time.
Beata Dynaburska
“Love and respect for the elderly and the sick gives me the strength to work every day”
My name is Beata Dynaburska. I have been in Ireland for five years. I came here for the sake of my children. In Poland, I was a single mother with 3 children. When my son graduated from high school, I could not afford to keep him in college so 10 years ago my son went to Dublin and a year later my eldest daughter came here too. I stayed in Poland with my youngest child. For several years my children have worked here and have gone to college. By their own efforts they have gained their own higher education and I am very proud of them. In the meantime, my workplace closed down and I unfortunately could not find work anywhere.
During this time, my dad became ill with colon cancer. I did everything in my power to help him. I looked after him for 10 months non-stop in the hospital at first and then at home until the end, in the Hospice. Dad died in January 2010. At that point I came to Ireland with my youngest daughter and so began our adventure in this country. At the beginning I worked for employment agencies, it was hard physical work. Later I got a contract in printing and this work greatly improved my English. We missed Poland greatly. Half of my heart for several years lived in Ireland and the other half in Poland.
My dream has always been to help people who are vulnerable and lonely. All the time I looked around for the kind of work in which you can make the most of yourself to give to another person who needs it. However, I did not have the necessary education in this field. I was thinking about completing a special course, but it was too expensive for me. One December day, after work, I began to once again view the page with the jobs and found a job opening for a carer. Without much hesitation I wrote an email and on the same day I spoke to a great person, Katarzyna from ALH agency. We talked for a long time, Katarzyna had a lot of questions for me, and I for her. She explained everything thoroughly, The entire recruitment process went very smoothly. ALH Agency found me a very nice elderly lady.
Shortly after Christmas I had a meeting with the family of my client. Everyone was very nice and accepted me as a carer of their mother. From January 2nd this year, I have been living and working with her in her home. Very quickly we became friends. I help her in everything, and she repays me with smiles and friendship. The smile on her face is the best reward for me, I feel appreciated, needed and fulfilled in my work. With the help of ALH Agency, I work and do an e-course of “professional medical carer” at the same time, at a very affordable price.
The work of the caregiver is not easy. Clients have many needs and sometimes have mental health problems. But when one has the heart to do this work, every person can find the way. The guiding thought for a long time in my life is a quote from Father. J. Twardowski: “Let us hurry to LOVE PEOPLE: they disappear so quickly” – love and respect for the elderly and the sick gives me the strength to work every day.
Lija Berga
“Ireland, a land of hope and opportuntiy”
A land of hope and opportunity, this is my story. When I retired from working, my life became boring and financial problems began appearing. I had to find another job again to support myself and my family. I sent my resume to ALHomecare and their staff gave me a lot of information and support before finding me a nice family to work for. It was wonderful to live and work in such a peaceful place where spirituality reigned. It was an honour to work for my client who was such a gentleman, I found him very wise, honest, polite and patient. I did not have many years of experience but I took care of my mam until she passed away.
In this job, you need to put your heart on your palm and do your best. I am delighted with this experience I gained with the family I was placed with, their friends and all the neighbours in the area. Irish people are very friendly, open and their kindness is across the country. I know you and I can make the most of ourselves to help others who need the highest quality of care. When it comes to caring for someone, age plays no part in your ability to provide the best care for that person.