Bettystown carer honoured for ‘extraordinary dedication’

A BETTYSTOWN carer has been honoured for her “extraordinary dedication and a boundless willingness to support her clients”.

Janet McArea was announced as the regional winner of the Comfort Keepers Homecare Carer of the Year Awards 2024 last month and received the prestigious accolade for her outstanding client care, passion, and dedication to her work in the community.

She received the award at at Comfort Keepers’ Navan branch office surrounded by friends and her Comfort Keepers colleagues, also marking the company’s National Day of Joy to encourage joy and elevate the human spirit in everyday moments. Comfort Keepers, the nationwide provider of home care services, employs over 130 people at its Navan base and Janet was chosen as one of eleven branch finalists from around the country.

Mother of two children with five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and soon to celebrate her 70th birthday, Janet lives in from Bettystown and originally from Straid, a small village in Co Antrim.

With 30 years in caring, Janet loves her role and the fact that every day is different with her clients.

On receiving the accolade, Janet said: “I am honoured by this recognition. My mother lived independently at home until she was 89 so I appreciate the difference that makes to our clients’ quality of life. I love being able to help my clients do things and bring a little sunshine to their lives with a little story, song or dance – it lights up their faces and brings a smile to mine. I couldn’t sit in the house all day so I hope to carry this on for another bit.”

Collette Gleeson, Managing Director at Comfort Keepers who also celebrated her ten years’ service at the event said: “Our annual awards and our Day of Joy is a really important opportunity for us to honour the hard work of members of our teams who have been providing the highest quality care for our clients in their own homes while spreading joy in their communities.

“Our dedicated home carers are the heart and soul of Comfort Keepers, and Janet plays a key role in our Meath team. It is only with her dedication to outstanding care and brightening the lives of our clients in the comfort of their own homes, that we can provide people with the highest quality of life that is achievable.

“Janet exemplifies extraordinary dedication and a boundless willingness to support her clients. She is a fabulous ambassador for Comfort Keepers and an incredibly deserving regional winner for our Carer of the Year awards.”