Policies for Ageing Well at Home in Ireland: Health and Wellbeing 2025
With Ireland’s ageing population set to increase by 70% by 2040, in this paper ALONE and Social Justice Ireland outline urgent policy actions to meet the health and wellbeing needs of older adults living at home. This paper highlights the growing challenges facing older people, including disability, chronic illness, loneliness, mental health concerns, and malnutrition.
The report demonstrates that while living longer is a success story, many older people in Ireland face barriers to healthy, independent living. Growing waiting lists for home supports, underfunded mental health care, and gaps in community and rehabilitation services place additional strain on older people and the wider health system.
Key recommendations include:
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Expanding Primary Care and community-based health services.
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Investing in fall prevention programmes, dementia services, and better nutrition supports.
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Tackling loneliness and isolation through a national action plan.
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Increasing funding for Home Support and establishing a Statutory Homecare Scheme.
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Improving day care access and dedicated transport supports.
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Providing greater supports for unpaid carers, including respite and basic income pilot schemes.
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Expanding assistive technology programmes to promote independence.
These proposals build on national strategies like Sláintecare, the National Positive Ageing Strategy, and the Healthy Ireland framework, but highlight gaps in delivery that must urgently be addressed.
