Overview

The Make Home Work Campaign was launched on November 23rd 2011, calling for the realisation of the right to age well at home and for a change in how we think, how we talk and how we act in relation to ageing and older people.

The Campaign took many twists and turns, here we highlight some of the key moments from the campaign for a complete picture of the campaign journey. For more see the please see the related blogs, resources and press releases on the panel to the right.

The inspiration and mandate for the campaign came from consultations Older & Bolder ran with hundreds of older people all around the country the preceding summer on the subject of health and social care.

Supporters responded with energy and volume to our Make Home Work Campaign composing personal message to An Taoiseach highlighting how much they value supports such as the State Pension, the Medical Card and the Community Care. 

When the Government announced proposed cuts to home help and home care packages Older & Bolder responded swiftly sending a strong message on air and in print that these cuts must be reversed.

Individuals signed our online petition and sent postal petition cards to their local representatives. Older & Bolder received thousands of personal postal messages from older people around the country who rely on home care services to stay living in their own homes. Supporters helped to spread these messages on social media sites. Many groups adopted our Make Home Work Charter which outlines principles that will make it easier for older people to stay living well at home for as long as possible. 

On Thursday October 18th Older & Bolder supporters took to the gates of Dáil Éireann presenting signatures to a petition to Government calling for the immediate reversal of cuts to Home Help and Home Care Packages.

Older & Bolder’s campaign for the reversal of cuts to Home Care services was stepped up with the launch of an online tool directly linking TDs and their constituents. Government TDs voted down a motion to reverse cuts to Home Help and Home Care Packages. Visitors to the campaign website were invited to find out how the TDs that represent them and their constituency actually voted on this vital issue

This persistent democratic action by Older & Bolder with older people around the country ultimately prevented €5 million home care cut.