ALONE Annual Report 2025: LSE Research Shows Ageing Well at Home Improves Lives and Cuts Healthcare Costs
Tuesday 29th September 2026: As Ireland’s population ages rapidly, demand for support continues to grow, according to the 2025 Annual Report of ALONE, the national organisation supporting older people to age well at home, published today. The number of personalised needs assessments ALONE delivered has increased by 165% over the past three years, reflecting both a rising number of older people seeking support and the increasingly complex nature of the challenges they face. Good health is only part of what people need to age well at home: housing, transport, social connection and access to the right services and financial supports matter just as much. ALONE’s role is to bring State and community supports together and to fill the gaps where they don’t reach people.
The report highlights the challenges facing older people today, and how those challenges are intensifying. Of the more than 46,800 older people supported across its services in 2025, physical health difficulties were the most commonly reported issue, affecting 59% of those assessed. Loneliness affected 45%, while 36% reported housing difficulties and 21% reported financial difficulties, with three-quarters of older people now saying they’ve been impacted by the rising cost of living, up sharply from 44% in 2024. The report demonstrates how these challenges often overlap, affecting an older person’s ability to remain independent, connected and well at home.
New independent research from the London School of Economics (LSE), published in the report, found that older people who receive ALONE’s coordinated, community-based support are more likely to remain independent and well at home, reporting measurable improvements in their wellbeing, independence and quality of life. In addition, ALONE volunteers contributed almost 274,000 hours in 2025. Together, this means ALONE’s work delivers an estimated €12 million in savings and value to the State every year.
Seán Moynihan, CEO of ALONE, said: “Ireland’s population is ageing and the demand for support continues to grow. The evidence now shows that when older people can access coordinated support, they are more likely to remain independent and age well at home. Our work is now at the point where it pays its own way: the savings we deliver for the State mean that supporting older people through ALONE is, in effect, cost neutral.
As a country, we need to build on what works and ensure more older people can access the supports they need before challenges become crises. The opportunity now is to scale proven approaches that improve outcomes for older people while reducing pressure on health and social care services.”
In 2025, ALONE successfully delivered 93% of the supports older people requested. The report also highlights the contribution of staff, volunteers, partners and supporters in helping older people remain safe, connected, independent and supported in their communities.
Eimear Cahalin, Chairperson of ALONE, said: “This report demonstrates both the scale of the challenges facing older people and the difference that timely, personalised support can make. The findings from the London School of Economics provide compelling evidence that investing in community-based support delivers tangible benefits for older people while also creating wider benefits for society.”
Looking ahead, ALONE is focused on expanding impact, strengthening partnerships and ensuring more older people can access the support they need to age well at home. The organisation believes the evidence presented in this report provides a strong foundation for continued investment in integrated, preventative supports that improve outcomes for older people and communities across Ireland.
Individuals seeking support, or anyone concerned about an older person in their community, are encouraged to contact ALONE’s National Support and Referral Line, open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm, on 0818 222 024
