The organisation urges for a prompt implementation of the strategic plan for vulnerable older people at once, reflective of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
ALONE, the organisation which supports older people has highlighted the need for increased home care services across the country, enabling older people to remain at home as they age. The organisation remains concerned about the hidden impacts of COVID-19 on the older people who use its services. ALONE has stated that current home care services must be improved to meet the ever-rising demand for older people to age safely at home, and that long-term plans must be developed to achieve this as the rippling effects of the pandemic advance further.
Many older people are experiencing increased frailty and loss of muscle mass as a result of extended periods of cocooning during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to increases in the number of falls and other injuries related to inactivity. Long periods of physical inactivity while cocooning can cause ‘deconditioning’ and loss of muscle mass, resulting in an increased fall risk among older people. ALONE are encouraging older people to try and take light exercise, outdoors if possible, to maintain good physical health. Each year, one in every three adults age 65 and older falls, mostly at home, and falls are the leading cause of injury, disability and admission to nursing homes for this group.
ALONE are continuing to push for the nationwide implementation of the Sláintecare model, as the organisation believes that in order to ease pressure on health services, Ireland must increase capacity in the number of hospital and ICU beds available, along with rolling out and encouraging the uptake of flu vaccinations and others for preventable diseases. The organisation have also encouraged the new Government to proceed with implementing the new mental health policy, and ensure that it has the necessary funding available to fully respond to the mental health issues arising from COVID-19 and beyond, and that a national plan for addressing loneliness is developed with the proper funding.
ALONE support the urgent review of nursing homes as proposed by the Oireachtas Special Committee on COVID-19, should a second wave of the virus occur. Over 50% of all COVID-19-related deaths occurred in nursing homes, and ALONE believe that plans should be put in place to ensure adequate staffing levels and infection control in the event of a second wave, to protect older people with increased vulnerability to the virus.
The home care sector has also suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many home care workers losing pay during the pandemic despite the fact that the HSE agreed to pay providers who had to take time off work to self-isolate. Many clients of homecare service providers cancelled their care hours in order to cocoon and protect themselves from the virus. In addition to this, many home care workers lost pay while self-isolating after coming into contact with a positive case of COVID-19. This resulted in some care workers experiencing a significant loss of income and put them under financial pressure. ALONE believe that increased supports are needed for home care workers in order for them to continue the valuable service they provide.
ALONE CEO Seán Moynihan said, “We are trying to get the message across that home care services need to be escalated to meet the increasing demand for older people to age at home. There must be an emphasis put on creating a system with longevity, both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence of COVID-19 has highlighted the continuing need for a whole-Government approach which must extend beyond the current crisis. We need an overarching health and social care strategy that helps to inform and integrate existing strategies regarding health and social care.”
He continued, “Nursing Homes are not a desirable alternative, services need to tilt towards allowing people to age at home. The backlog of supports needed must be addressed urgently, and it is vital that the appropriate services are available to older people in their communities. Many older people need support as they readjust from the inactivity and isolation of cocooning, in order to achieve this we need to see the appropriate support structures in place.”
The organisation is also advocating for a social recovery plan to run alongside an economic one, should the economy continue to suffer the effects of COVID-19. As many older people in Ireland are now living below the poverty line, ALONE believe that it is necessary to ensure a quality standard of living, which will in turn help to ease pressure on healthcare services. More attention must be given to further housing and care options, as nursing home care, while vital to those with complex needs, should not be the only option available to older people.
ALONE is encouraging older people who need advice to call ALONE on, 0818 222 024 from 8am-8pm, seven days a week. Contact ALONE on 0818 222 024 if you have concerns about your own wellbeing, or the wellbeing of an older person you know. Further information can be found on www.alone.ie.
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NSRL Line
0818 222 024
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Emma Fitzgerald
089 409 0549
Dublin North & East
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Erik Sopon
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083 3851 221
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087 407 4085
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083 062 5854
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Lola Fitzgibbon
086 084 1360
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Anne Crowley
086 168 8188
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0818 222 024
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Greg O’Reilly
083 385 1221
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Name
Phone
NSRL Line
0818 222 024
Team Manager
Lola Fitzgibbon
086 084 1360
Bandon, Carrigaline, Kinsale
0818 222 024
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083 878 6080
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phone
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Michael Purtill
086 014 5831
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086 108 2524
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0818 222 024
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Ciaran Gilligan
083 878 6080
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Kevin White
089 409 0549
Balbriggan, Skerries & Lusk
Vacant
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Maura O’Shea
0818 222 024
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Michael Kennedy
086 440 2894
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Jacob Shakespeare
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Anne Marie mc Allister
086 440 7825
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Vacant
0818 222 024
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Sharon McManus
0818 222 024
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0818 222 024
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Greg O’Reilly
083 385 1221
North Meath & Ardee
Paula Boyce
0818 222 024
East Meath
John Stillman
0818 222 024
Location tbc
Vacant
0818 222 024
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Anne Murphy
086 035 3904
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Frances Sheerin
086 108 5965
National Support Line Coordinators
National Support Line Coordinators
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Aoife Callaghan
Sarah kerr
Aoife Callaghan
Bridgeen Coyle
086 032 6801
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086 014 6732
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Natalie Johnson
083 062 5854
South Dublin Inner City
Vacant
0818 222 024
Rathfarnham, Knocklyon & Ballyboden
Vacant
0818 222 024
Newcastle, Citywest & Saggart
Joe Sullivan
0818 222 024
Northwest Kildare
Annemarie Molloy
Patricia Scanlon
086 013 7256
Service Manager
Lola Fitzgibbon
086 084 1360
Southwest Wexford
Natalia Gembicka
086 014 4915
Service Manager
Siobhan Walsh
086 084 1674
Northeast Cork
Vacant
0818 222 024
Central Cork
Veronica Reidy
Clare Seymour
086 075 3867
086 107 9433
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Geraldine Commins
086 013 1570
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Mairead Egan
087 253 1380
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Maria O’Connor
Volunteer Support Officer
Tracey Kearney
086 440 9893
Service Manager
Martina Kinane
087 407 4085
Caroline Bradley
West Limerick
Margaret Collum
Volunteer Support Officers
Aoife Dennehy
086 211 5307
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Vacant
0818 222 024
Service Manager
Frances Browne
087 751 6087
Inishowen (CHN Learning Site)
Bronagh Doyle
086 171 6984
Inishowen (CHN Learning Site)
Gráinne Hargan
West Donegal
Emma Kennedy
086 720 8686
Donegal inishowen
Vacant
0818 222 024
Telephone Support Coordinator
Deirdre Browne
074 932 1598
Telephone Support Coordinator
Catherine Reilly
National Support & Referral Line Coordinator
Kathleen Bonner