This is the 2023 annual report for ALONE’s services within the HSE Enhanced Community Care programme. It marks the eighth report in the series, offering a national overview of the services provided in 2023, with comparisons to 2022. The report highlights prevalent issues such as loneliness, housing, financial difficulties, and health concerns among older individuals, underscoring the critical need for comprehensive support services.
The report shows that in 2023 ALONE provided a variety of tailored interventions to address these needs and fill gaps in practical support. Importantly, individuals were not limited to one type of help; ALONE’s flexible model recognises that different interventions might be needed based on each person’s situation. The report provides evidence on the types of support requested, provided, where, to and by whom.
Key findings include: The majority (40%) of people supported were between 76-85; ALONE supported twice as many females compared to males; over 12 000 new people were supported by ALONE in 2023; over 47,000 interventions provided to people across the country.
Of the 9,148 people who received an assessment in 2023, loneliness was the biggest concern reported by 58% of people, with physical health and falls being the second biggest concern (48%). Overall, Social isolation/prescribing interventions increased by 136%, while emotional and mental health interventions increased by 122%. Housing, legal/financial, and assistive technology interventions also featured as key areas of support in 2023.
The report demonstrates that ALONE’s support extends beyond addressing immediate needs, to fostering holistic well-being and improving quality of life for older people.