Government called upon to extend home help hours

According to Age Action 50% of their clients in nursing homes could be at home if the proper supports were in place.

The Government is being called upon to extend home help hours in the upcoming budget because of Ireland's ageing population.

Ireland's over 65 population is expected to double and the over 85's set to quadruple in the next 30 years.

Age Action Ireland has recently highlighted the crisis in community care stating that 50% of their clients in nursing homes could be at home if the proper supports were in place.

It comes as the Irish Examiner reported this week a 92-year-old woman was left in a hospital for almost a year because there no funding for a home care package shows how the system is failing older people.

Speaking to RedFM news Spokesperson for Age Action Ireland Gerard Scully says the Government needs to change priority from residential to community care.

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