Older & Bolder calls for dialogue with Minister of Health

Older & Bolder today welcomed in principle the proposal by the Minister for Health James Reilly to establish a special fund to pay for services and facilities that would allow more older people to remain in their own homes rather than being moved to long-term residential care. The Older & Bolder campaign ‘Make Home Work – The Right to Age Well at Home’ highlights the importance of developing community based supports as part of an integrated health care system in consultation with older people and their advocates.

Patricia Conboy, Director of Older & Bolder, said today, “I welcome in principle the Minister’s statement. We are in absolute agreement that ‘People should be allowed to stay at home for as long as possible...’ What is crucial now is that the Minister, the Department and the HSE engage with older people and those working in the sector to ensure that we get this right. This is an opportunity to put in place a new system which recognises and honours the needs of people as they age. I understand that we are in a historically difficult economic situation but I emphasise that residents of public residential units must be consulted about their future.  These units are older people’s homes and their needs have to be taken into account. It is essential too that we develop good planning; that there is transparency at all times in order to ensure that older people are not frightened about their future; they must know that the supports will be there for them in the long term. We need clarity too about funding streams for this initiative. I am asking now that the Minister engages with older people and their representatives and shares information about these plans. That he engages in dialogue. I believe that we can really ‘Make Home Work’ by working together.”