Home Instead:Community based care can help nursing home crisis

Community based care can help nursing home crisis

The home care sector in Ireland is expected to care for an increasing number of older people as a result of the recent waiting list crisis for the Fair Deal Scheme. Waiting times for nursing home funding have doubled in three months, new figures from Nursing Home Ireland reveal. The number of people of the waiting list further increased by more than 500 over three months. This can leave families with a bill of up to 15,000 before any funding is received.

The Fair Deal Scheme was introduced five years ago to provide state support for nursing home costs and it is feared the long waiting times could be putting older people's health and quality of life at risk. Priority should be given to dealing with the Fair Deal waiting list crisis and care options for older people in the local community. We need a policy that favours home and community-based care in addition to institutional care.

Older people are suffering and missing out on needed care as a result of this waiting list crisis. We are receiving more home care enquiries as a result of the long wait for nursing home care. Older people and their families are struggling to cope and are in need of more help than is currently being provided by the Fair Deal Scheme. Home care is a personal and intimate type of care. A home caregiver will deliver one-on-one care that matches the needs of the older person.

There is no waiting for help with daily living activities, which may happen in an institutionalised care setting. A caregiver spends quality time with the person and is readily available. Our professionally trained caregivers can help older people remain independent in their own homes for longer than would otherwise be possible. This week Nursing Homes Ireland announced a need for 8,000 new nursing home beds in this country over the next 12 months.

Obviously there is an ever increasing need for nursing home beds in Ireland to deal with our ever increasing ageing population. However, many of these people could be cared for in their own homes with ongoing support from a professional homecare provider such as Home Instead Senior Care.

We tailor a person-centred care-plan suitable to your loved ones needs, likes and wishes. We promote independence, personal development and inclusion throughout the community for all of our clients where appropriate. Our mission is to enhance the lives of older people to help them live happy, healthy independent lives at home.

Tax relief of up to 40% is available on home care fees and home care grants are readily available.

For more information on this useful resource guidebook, contact Home Instead Senior Care at 044-9385260 or email us at j.acton@homeinsteadm.ie. We are happy for you to visit with us at our offices at Marlinstown Office Park, Mullingar.