ALONE welcomes homecare consultation but stresses need for comprehensive services
6th July 2017 ALONE, the charity that supports older people to age at home welcomes the introduction of a public consultation process on a new statutory homecare scheme announced by Minister for Older People, Jim Daly, today. ALONE also stress that a more rounded home support system should be put in place for older people and carers.
CEO of ALONE, Sean Moynihan has said: “We believe in the need to redress homecare but there is also a requirement to treat all parts of an older person’s life. Without a wrap-around of services, any new homecare scheme would fail.”
Moynihan continued, “ALONE is focused on the development of well-rounded supports for older people in Ireland. As the ageing population increases, we can expect further demands on supports. It is estimated that approximately 20% of those over 65 already receive a form of support service from the State. While we welcome this move by Minister Daly to establish a new affordable and sustainable homecare scheme, we urge that a comprehensive approach be taken. ALONE also calls on the Minister to disclose an outlined timeline for the consultation process and how he intends the process to operate.”
ALONE is keen to participate in the development of this new statutory homecare scheme and work with all stakeholders to make any new scheme a success and meet the needs of older people.
ALONE believes that only with this agenda, the participation of the wider community, and an increase in annual funding, can a significant homecare scheme be sustainable.
ENDS
About ALONE
2017 marks 40 years since ALONE was founded. Since then the charity has supported thousands of older people to age at home. ALONE works with those who have issues with loneliness and social isolation, lack of services, poor health, poverty, homelessness or housing. ALONE provides Support Coordination, Housing with Support, Befriending and Campaigning services to older people nationwide. ALONE’s services are quality approved and are delivered 365 days a year.
For more information contact:
Kathryn Byrne, Limelight Communications, kathryn.byrne@limelight.ie, 01 668 0600, 0852336033