Mayo public want more supports to help older people remain living in own homes

THERE is an urgent need to address the housing needs of older people through the development of ‘wrap around’ rather than ‘send around’ services - enabling older people to live in their own homes for as long as possible.

These findings are reflected in a new RED C survey commissioned for Mayo Social by Sage Advocacy, the national advocacy service for older people and survivors of institutional abuse.

The research - carried out on a representative sample of 1,082 Irish adults - found that:

Over 90% of Irish adults believe housing with supports for older people is urgently needed, with nearly 60% saying very urgently.

When care for an older person is needed, the strong preference is to stay in their own home with a daily visiting carer (32%), followed by living independently in a care community (20%).

Just 8% said they would choose to live in a nursing home.

Commenting on the findings, Mayo Social spokesperson Mervyn Taylor said: “There is a lot of focus on housing following the recent launch of the new strategy Delivering Homes Building Communities. However, the key is in the full title ‘building communities’. The RED C Poll shows strong public support for communities where people can age-in-place.

“The survey highlights an overwhelming public mandate for accelerated development of supported housing for older people, underpinned by integrated ageing-in-place policies. People have made it clear repeatedly that, when older, they want to stay in their own home.

“For Ireland to deliver this we need to develop a range of community-based supports to address the health and social care needs of older people and, critically, to address the central issue of social connectedness.

“This will require social innovation, which is place based and outcome focused, and Mayo Social recommends the establishment of a National Social Innovation Fund to help meet the challenges of an ageing society and economy.

“There is just one page in the new strategy about the housing needs of older people. Social supports, through Approved Housing Bodies and others, is referenced in the Programme for Government, but not developed any further in the current strategy. This is a missed opportunity - and needs government focus.”

Sage Advocacy chairperson Mark Mellett said the evidence that social connectedness contributes most to the wellbeing of older people must become reflected in government housing strategy.

“Housing without supports and community infrastructure is ‘the sound of one hand clapping’. Some of these supports, such as healthcare and home help, can be developed at national level but they and other more localised services require innovation in specific locations.

“A place-based approach is essential if we are to meet the challenges of an ageing society. Mobilising everything from the local GAA or sports club, to the robotics and tele-medicine laboratories, from the local pub to large corporates is needed. This country must move away from its fixation with congregated care for older people. We need nursing homes, but we also need a greater variety of options.”

He continued: “A question is who would provide these services? We asked this question in the survey and there was a strong preference from the public for the HSE to take the lead (36%), while just 15% favoured local authorities expanding their housing role. Just 8% wanted it to be done by private companies. The HSE is seen as anchored in public health provision making it the preferred provider.

“If government wants to provide additional services through approved housing bodies, then it is going to have to plan for how this will happen and who will pay for it.”

The survey also signalled clear public support for the State being more assertive in addressing housing challenges, such as State-led interventions for vacant properties. 74% said they would support Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) to bring vacant or derelict houses into use.

Castlebar Social Services manager Deirdre Waldron said: “This finding shows an opportunity for government and local authorities to act decisively on derelict properties without fear of public backlash. It also shows a need to start focusing on the impact of climate change.

“Some 56% of people would only consider moving home if their health deteriorated and older people seem notably less concerned about the impact of storms and floods on relocating; with the exception of older residents in rural areas. This is a concern for almost 1 in 4 Mayo residents many of whom were severely affected by Storm Éowyn in late January.”

If required to live in a nursing home respondents preferred option was for their care to be delivered by a community-based medical care service with a GP and / or advanced practitioner on call (34%). There was negligible support for large nursing homes (2%).

The research also showed that over 70% of older adults would find it emotionally difficult to leave their homes, and that only 6% believe adequate independent-living options exist.

Ms. Waldron continued: “The research highlights a need for sensitive transition pathways for older people and a substantial expansion of suitable housing options.”