ALONE respond to suggestions that older people give up their large homes to house familes
ALONE Suggestions in ESRI report would punish older people for lack of government planning
ALONE respond to suggestions that older people give up their large homes to house families
Dublin, 8th March 2016 ALONE has expressed concern over the Economic and Social Research Institute’s (ESRI) recent report suggesting that older people with large homes should be given financial incentives to allow their homes to be bought by families. [symple_spacing size=”5″]
CEO of ALONE, Sean Moynihan said, “We are very concerned by the suggestions in this report from the ESRI. The report is titled ‘Housing and Ireland’s Older Population’ but it contains no solutions for older people and appears to be punishing older people for the lack of social housing provided by the government. The report is ignoring the fact that there is actually a shortage of suitable homes housing for older people.” [symple_spacing size=”5″]
It is estimated that 3,312 units for older people will be needed every year until 2020 and an additional 400 older people per year will not have access to nursing home care they need. 50% of the calls ALONE received in 2014 were housing related and there was 290% increase in housing applicants from the end of 2013 to June 2015. [symple_spacing size=”5″]
Moynihan continued, “It is dangerous to suggest that older people should give up their homes without any plans to build 1 or 2 bed units locally for them. We believe that this suggestion by the ESRI could work in select cases but only with long term planning from the government and in consultation with older people. If older people wish to move then there should be suitable options available to them within their local community.” [symple_spacing size=”5″]
“We in ALONE, have been calling on the government to designate a portion of all social housing units for use by older people. We also need to look at Housing with Care models for older people so that they can age in the community. Older persons spend more time in their home than any other demographic; the average 80 year old will spend 80% of their day at home. We urge the government to prioritise the development of social housing and ensure older people aren’t forgotten.” [symple_spacing size=”5″]
For those who have concerns about their own wellbeing, or the wellbeing of an older person in the community, ALONE can be contacted on (01) 679 1032. For more information about ALONE’s manifesto visit www.alone.ie
