ALONE launches General Election Manifesto to support all older people with housing, health and finance needs

ALONE, the organisation that supports people to age at home, has today launched its election manifesto. ALONE is asking all parties to address the issues facing an ageing Ireland in their manifestos, campaigns and the ultimate Programme for Government. Having supported over 38,000 older people to age at home in 2023, with over 40,000 expected to be receive supported by year’s end, ALONE is proposing a range of policies that will meet the needs of Ireland’s ageing population, today and into the future. They are backed by the needs identified in their work across housing, health, finance and loneliness.

Ireland has one of the fastest-ageing populations in the EU. That makes older people the fastest-growing population group in the country. Our population is set to grow by 800,000 over the next 15 years; five out of every eight of these adults will be 65 or older.

ALONE CEO, Sean Moynihan said, “It’s to be celebrated that we are living longer, and it’s been proven that the increase in our older population will bring many benefits to the Irish economy in the coming years. But we urgently need to invest in the policies and infrastructure that will create a society where ageing at home is comfortable, enjoyable and better for your health for all. The roadmap to that society is outlined in our manifesto. These are evidence-based policies arrived at through our work with older people across Ireland, and by examining international best practices.”

Continuing, he said, “We need the next Government to prioritise planning and delivering for our ageing population or risk a significant fall in living standards among this growing strand of the population. We believe in an Ireland where older people can age happily and securely at home and are strongly connected to their local communities. To achieve this for older people today and into the future, we’re telling parties and candidates that their manifestos need to include the following commitments.”

The manifesto calls on the next government to:

• Introduce a Commissioner for Older People to work across Government to ensure policy implementation for our ageing population.
• Benchmark the State Pension and other benefits to ensure older people’s incomes keep pace with the increasing cost of living, particularly for older people living alone.
• Develop, fund and execute a strategy to combat loneliness for Ireland.
• Identify and plan for the broad spectrum of housing needs of older people; and to develop targets and measure delivery of housing for older people as part of Housing for All.
• Reduce energy poverty among older people by reform SEAI grants to ensure a just transition that includes Older People and reduces energy poverty
• Improve access and funding to the range of community health and social care services provided to older people to support their wellbeing, particularly mental health, home support and day care services.
• Implement legislation that will safeguard all against abuse

Full details can be found at www.alone.ie/election2024/     or by calling 0818 222 024 for a printed copy.