“Overwhelming and all-consuming”: Three in four older people affected by rising living costs, ALONE survey finds

September 17th 2026: ALONE, the national organisation supporting older people to age well at home, is highlighting the continued impact of rising living costs on older people across Ireland following the publication of its annual Cost of Living Survey. The findings show many older people are struggling to afford everyday essentials, with rising costs affecting their health, wellbeing and quality of life. 

The survey found that three in four older people (75%) have been affected by the rising cost of living this year, up sharply from 44% in 2025. More than half (58%) are struggling to pay bills. Almost half (45%) are going cold to save on energy costs. 

ALONE’s accompanying analysis found that an older person living alone, even while claiming every available State support, still falls €14.20 short of the minimum weekly income needed to avoid poverty. The organisation also highlighted that 30% of older people living alone are living below the poverty line: almost twice the national average. ALONE says these findings highlight an urgent need to strengthen core income supports and introduce targeted measures for those most at risk of financial hardship. 

The effects reach well beyond household finances. Older people reported going without heat, cutting back on food and delaying essential spending to make ends meet. ALONE warns that prolonged financial pressure can have serious consequences for physical and mental health, increasing the risk of loneliness, isolation and poorer wellbeing. 

One older person told ALONE: “The rising cost of electricity and food and lack of transport makes it very difficult. I go without the basics daily.”   

ALONE continues to see growing demand for its services as older people seek support to navigate financial pressures while maintaining their independence. Through practical supports, housing assistance, information and advice, and companionship services, ALONE works to ensure older people can age well at home and remain connected to their communities. 

Seán Moynihan, CEO of ALONE, said: “The findings of this survey paint a worrying picture of the financial pressure many older people are experiencing. For many, these pressures are not occasional challenges but part of daily life. When people are going cold, skipping essentials and living below the poverty line despite receiving available supports, it is clear that more needs to be done.” 

“The evidence is clear. Too many older people living alone are struggling to keep pace with everyday costs, even when receiving available supports. No older person should have to choose between heating their home, buying food or staying connected to their community. Addressing this gap is essential to ensuring older people can remain healthy, independent and connected in their own homes.” 

The near-doubling of affected older people in a single year, from 44% to 75%, reinforces long-standing recommendations ALONE has made to Government to address financial hardship among older people living alone, including increases to core benefits and entitlements including the State Pension, Living Alone Allowance, Household Benefits Package and Fuel Allowance, and expansion of the free retrofitting scheme to include all older people regardless of income, not just those on qualifying payments. Without urgent action, ALONE is concerned that energy poverty among older people will continue to deepen, leaving more people forced to choose between heating and other essentials this winter.