ALONE’s impact report launched, showing improved quality of life

ALONE, the organisation that enables older people to age at home, today launched a landmark report on the impact of its services and supports on older people in Ireland as part of the HSE’s Enhanced Community Care programme.

The study – Transforming Ageing at Home: Evaluating ALONE’s Impact Through Enhanced Community Care – was undertaken in conjunction with the London School of Economics. It tracked the effects of ALONE’s services and supports on hundreds of older people throughout Ireland, over the course of six months.

The findings were unveiled at a major launch event in Dublin, hosted by the former RTÉ newsreader Eileen Dunne, with HSE Chief Clinical Officer Colm Henry also addressing the audience of elected politicians and stakeholders.

Key findings included:

• After six months, older people engaging with ALONE’s services showed clear improvements in quality of life and personal capability.
• These improvements have positive knock-on effects throughout the healthcare system, with reduced use likely across GP services and other emergency and community healthcare systems.
• ALONE’s service model was found to be robust, responsive and individualised and tailored service plans.
• Benefits were especially evident among those receiving Visitation or Telephone Support & Befriending services, emphasising the importance of personal and community connection in maintaining health and wellbeing in older age.

Sean Moynihan, ALONE, CEO commented, “These findings are as a result of 10 years work by our staff and volunteers, and all part of the HSE’s Enhanced Community Care model as part of Slaintecare. To build a quality, integrated service across the country delivering equality of access to every corner of Ireland. This study proves the value of our services to the older people that look for our support and also a reduction in healthcare costs by the voluntary/community, acute care and primary sectors working together”.

The challenge is to match that learning from our work with government policy, to deliver for all our older people. Receiving care and support within your home is the best way to support people and it is also the most cost-effective investment for Governments.”

Seán Moynihan added: “This report, like everything we do in ALONE, is intended to amplify the voices of older people. I’m proud that we’ve done that, and that older people – and society at large – are feeling the benefits of the incredible work our volunteers and staff do every day. But we need to be prepared for the level and extent of those needs to spike in the years ahead; this report points us in the right direction.”

The full report is available at: https://alone.ie/library/transforming-ageing-at-home-evaluating-alones-impact-through-enhanced-community-care-2/