(Note: Figures for ongoing engagement data have been revised as of November 29, 2024, due to a correction in analysis)
This Enhanced Community Care (ECC) report offers a comprehensive national overview of the support provided by ALONE in Q2 2024, highlighting its partnership with the HSE to improve person-centred community health services and enhance the health and wellbeing of older adults. The report highlights:
• 26,944 older people supported across all ALONE services,
• 3,773 newly supported,
• Ongoing support provided to 11,462 individuals
• 11,515 new interventions for 3,510 older people, averaging 3.3 interventions per person
• 66% of referrals were from external agencies, primarily HSE Community Care Teams, hospitals, and ICPOP
Key issues identified by older people during Q2 2024 were:
• 54% experienced loneliness.
• 52% had physical health issues
• 36% faced mobility challenges
• 25% had mental health issues, particularly Dementia/Alzheimer’s.
• 33% had housing issues, mainly needing adaptations.
• 28% faced financial difficulties, primarily related to utilities, with 92% experiencing payment issues.
• 30% reported personal care concerns, especially regarding access to GP services and nutrition.
The report highlights several critical areas that require focused attention to better meet the needs of older adults, including addressing housing, physical health and mobility support needs, enhancing efforts to expand community engagement initiatives and improving technological supports and addressing regional disparities.
