Background: It is estimated that by 2050 approximately 1.6 million Irish people will be aged 65 or over (CSO, 2020). This dramatic shift in population highlights the importance of supporting positive ageing, and the need to develop medical and non-medical infrastructure and services that can meet the needs of this growing age group (Department of Health, 2013). ALONE is a national organisation that aims to transform ageing in Ireland, by supporting older adults to age within their own homes and communities positively and securely. This research aims to provide a descriptive portrayal of the response of older adults to ALONE’s services. Specifically, this study examined the demographic and clinical characteristics of older adults who seek support from ALONE and described the implications of these findings for policy and service delivery.
Method: Data from older people who engage with ALONE services are captured through an online system designed to record salient clinical and service delivery information. Data analysed for this study included demographic characteristics, presenting needs, and nature, duration, and frequency of service engagement.
Results: Most older people engaging with ALONE were female, aged 76-85 years and were referred to ALONE from the HSE, hospitals and primary care centres. Older people living in non-owner occupied homes, and reporting a recent fall and mobility issues were overrepresented in the data whilst social isolation, physical health issues and housing needs were commonly reported. Visitation support and befriending represented the highest area of need among older people, who generated an average of 3.4 interventions.
Conclusion: The findings from this research provide insights into older people’s needs and contribute to our understanding of emerging features of innovative health service delivery for older people. These findings will support policymakers and service providers in creating and implementing integrated psychosocial and medical community services for older people.
