Housing Options for Our Ageing Population - Policy Statement

Ireland’s population is living longer than ever before and our older population is consistently growing in size. We need to be aware of the challenges it will bring us over the coming years in almost every aspect of public policy. Housing and health care will be no exceptions. We need to plan ahead to meet the accommodation needs of an ageing Ireland. This policy statement is an important step in that process. The changing demographics and the implications for future health care costs underpin the importance of developing a wider choice of appropriate housing options for older people suited to their needs. The aim of this policy statement is to encourage and facilitate timely planning by older people, and to rebalance the care model away from inappropriate residential and/or acute care, to supporting older people to remain living independently in their own homes and communities for longer, as opposed to fast tracking into long term stay or acute settings.