Evidence shows loneliness is a significant issue for population health and a number of different studies have linked loneliness to multiple chronic health conditions. Loneliness levels in Ireland are rising, and the pandemic was a major contributory factor.
Loneliness can be detrimental for our physical and mental health, while reconnecting with others post-COVID-19 pandemic has numerous physical and mental health benefits.
In response to the increase in loneliness which particularly impacts older people, the Ministers for Health and the Chief Medical Officer, supported by Healthy Ireland, developed a nationwide campaign, aimed at older people to encourage them to rebuild their social connections and re-integrate into their communities. Post-pandemic, with vaccines and sensible precautions, it is safe for older people to reconnect with the world, to say “Hello Again World”, make up for lost time and re-establish important connections with their community.
Mental health of older people is a priority in Sharing the Vision, Ireland's national mental health policy, with actions including improving access to Mental Health Services for Older People, promoting evidence-based digital mental health interventions in the general population and with older persons, and linking recommendations with the National Positive Ageing Strategy.
To this end, the Age Friendly Homes Programme began in 2021 as a two-year pilot project, with the overall objectives to prevent early or premature admission to long-term residential care; enable older people to continue living in their homes or in a home more suited to their needs; help older people to live with a sense of independence and autonomy and support older people to be and feel part of their communities. Funding of €5.2 million has been allocated in Budget 2023 to roll-out the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme nationally in 2023.
The HSE, in conjunction with ALONE, is also continuing the roll out of a Support Coordination Service across the country. This service will support older people to live well at home independently, and for as long as possible, through support coordination and access to services such as, but not limited to: practical supports, befriending, social prescribing, assistive technology, and coordinated linkages to local community groups in their area. This service is being led out under the Enhanced Community Care (ECC) Programme, a strategic reform programme in line with Sláintecare proposals and priorities which seeks to deliver new and enhanced services and support the move toward a more community-centric model of healthcare.
As part of the ECC programme, the Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons (ICPOP) model aims to shift the delivery of care for older people away from acute hospitals towards a community based, planned and coordinated care model which is closely aligned to Primary Care and Acute sector partners. The objective of the programme is to improve the quality of life for older people by providing access to integrated care and support that is planned around their needs and choices. This supports them to live well in their own homes and communities without the need to access acute care settings. As of Q2 2023, 23 ICPOP teams have been established across Ireland, with 30 expected to be established in total by year end.
The Government is committed to ensuring that those living with dementia have access to the right services and supports to help them to live well in their communities, and has prioritised much-needed investment in dementia over the past three budgets.
We have invested €12.16 in dementia services and supports in 2023: €4.86 million has been provided for the National Dementia Strategy and €2.1 million for the full resumption of dementia-specific day care services. We have also prioritized investment valued at €5.2 million to allocate a minimum of 15% of 5 million new home support hours to people with dementia, up from 5% in 2021 and 11% in 2022. This investment is in addition to €5.9 million provided for the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy in 2021, and a further €7.3 million in 2022.
Work has also commenced on establishing the remit of the Commission on Care. It is anticipated that the Commission will examine various care and supports for older people in a modular fashion.
At a local level, Mental Health Day Services provided by the HSE are available to those who may require them, which provide mental health and medication supports, as well as wider assistances associated with daily living. In addition, in May this year I announced an additional €5.25 million funding for meals on wheels and day centres for older people to organisations across the country.
