ALONE addresses the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health on the health needs of older people.

Dublin, 26th June: ALONE, a national organisation supporting people to age at home, presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health today. The discussion focused on home care legislation and the general healthcare needs of older people in their communities, informed by ALONE’s experience in this area.

Since the beginning of 2024, ALONE has supported over 25,000 older adults, with staff and volunteers operating across all 96 Community Health Networks (CHNs). Additionally, ALONE collaborates with the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) Enhanced Community Care (ECC) programme to bring healthcare into the community.

Seán Moynihan ALONE CEO “It has always been our mission to support people age at home and the healthcare issues I address today are what we see older people needing to age healthy and well at home.”

Among the key issues highlighted by ALONE at today’s Joint Oireachtas Committee were mental health challenges in older adults and access to primary care.

Mental health remains a significant concern for older adults. In 2023, 2,405 individuals assessed by ALONE reported mental health issues, with Dementia/Alzheimer’s being the most prevalent, followed by Depression and Anxiety.

ALONE’s ECC Report identified substantial barriers in accessing primary care services, including Public Health Nurses (PHNs), Occupational Therapy, General Practitioners, and Physiotherapy. Among those reporting primary care issues in 2023, most reported required assistance from a Public Health Nurse, with Occupational Therapy being the second most needed service.

Moynihan continued, “We are fully engaged in all the Community Healthcare Networks in Ireland and working with partners and the HSE to bring healthcare closer to people within their community. We do this through an army of volunteers, professional staff and our Community Impact network. Technology has a big part to play in the future of healthcare at home and ALONE continues to install and assist people in getting the best access that technology can provide.”

ALONE’s Key Requests:

· Increased Funding and Resources: Allocate funding and resources within the Department of Health to deliver the plan to combat loneliness as outlined by the Loneliness Taskforce.

· Implement Model of Care for specialist mental health services for older people from Sharing the Vision.

· Housing Supports: Assign at least an additional €85 million to Housing Adaptation Grants for older people to increase the amount of grants delivered each year.

· Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Establish cross-departmental structures committed to delivering these supports as promised in 2019 between Health and Housing.

For more information on ALONE’s work within the ECC programme, please see here ALONE ECC Quarterly Report Q1 2024.