Image: Istock
Meaningful choice?
The need for more specialist older person’s housing in Ireland
HEALTH, CARE & SUPPORT
Kath Cottier
CEO, Fold Housing
Kath Cottier
CEO, Fold Housing
Issue 74 | October 2024
The Irish Government policy statement Housing Options for our Ageing Population launched in 2019 has a clear ambition to give people meaningful choice in how and where they choose to live as they age. The benefits of age-appropriate housing for people in older age is recognised in numerous policy documents. However, more collaborative work is needed to realise the vision of policy. Until this is commonplace, as a country we will continue to over-rely on nursing homes and acute care, especially as home-based care also has its challenges. It is patchy, inconsistent, currently unregulated, and with demand that outstrips supply.
Ageing population
The current media narrative highlights the problems. Put simply, by 2051 the 65+ age group is predicted to reach 1.5 million, an increase of 50% from 2023. This is, however, only half the story. Since 2016 the biggest increase in population, at 26%, has been in those aged 70+, and those aged 80+ are predicted to rise to half a million by 2051. This undoubtably has implications for our health and housing systems to meet the needs of this growing population in a cost-effective way.
For Fold Housing, it is about more than cost. We believe that appropriate person-centred housing and care can liberate older people by supporting vitality and independence. The option of meaningful choice is still a long way off for many people and we need to increase the supply and type of age-appropriate housing as well as provide funding for support and care when it is needed. This will keep older people at home, in age-appropriate homes.
predicted increase in the 65+ age group by 2051 to 1.5 million
increase in the 70+ age group since 2016
predicted number of people in the 80+ age group by 2051
Image: Fold Housing
What does age-appropriate housing look like?
- Independent Living – Clusters of homes built to universal design standards with excellent communal and social spaces and an emergency alarm service. Early intervention and advocacy to access services when needed and a focus on social and communal activities that combat loneliness and isolation.
- Housing with Care – All of the above with additional 24-hour onsite low-level support and the provision of personal care services in people’s homes. This onsite support is targeted only for those who need it and is instrumental in maintaining people’s ability to live independently for longer.
What next?
- The increased supply of Independent Living homes for older people by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) is commendable but needs to be expanded further, as well as the ability to develop Housing with Care housing schemes. Build and they will come, especially if we provide support for those who want to move.
- The provision of support in older persons housing is specialist and the key to successful outcomes. It prolongs people’s independence and quality of life in older age and diverts inappropriate referrals to nursing and acute healthcare settings. This requires us to collectively better understand the changing needs of people in older age, and work with statutory and voluntary partners and residents, to fund and deliver appropriate and effective person-centred support and care alongside the housing.
Collaborative working
Fold is advocating for increased supply and for increased collaborative working between housing and health to improve choice for people in terms of both housing and care as they age.
We believe AHBs like Fold Housing are best placed to deliver the meaningful choice that the Government envisages. As a specialist AHB we develop homes and deliver exceptional support and care to residents.
“We believe AHBs like Fold Housing are best placed to deliver the meaningful choice that the Government envisages.”
