Report: Support Gaps Drive Irish Care Home Admissions
A new government study indicates that fragmented community services, rather than clinical necessity, are the primary reason older adults enter residential care.
By Anthony Foster ·
25 percent of the cost of nursing home support system care in Ireland comes directly from residents’ own income and assets, according to a government-commissioned report published on Friday. The Commission of Care for Older People found that this financial structure, which relies heavily on family homes as chief assets, is under pressure as home ownership rates decline. The report warns that this trend could reduce the share of costs that can be borne by residents in the future.
The study, led by Prof Alan Barrett of the Economic and Social Research Institute, concluded that a majority of older adults enter nursing homes due to gaps in community support. Institutional care is not their preferred option or the most appropriate clinical choice in most cases. Instead, the system fails to provide adequate alternatives, forcing residents into facilities when they might otherwise remain in their communities.
The report describes current healthcare and social services as fragmented and inconsistent. Care is often delivered in silos, meaning different agencies do not coordinate effectively. This lack of integration is a major concern, particularly regarding the growing role of private providers in the sector. The commission noted that the increasing dominance of private-equity funded providers may reduce quality and access, a trend observed in other countries.
Demographic shifts are exacerbating these structural issues. The population is ageing, and household composition is changing, with more people living in single-person households. The report states that these trends will likely reduce the availability of family and unpaid carers. Additionally, the number of people living with dementia is expected to double over the next 20 years. This growth will put intense pressure on long-term residential centres, which are currently ill-prepared for the demand.
The commission also raised alarms about short-stay residential care. It warned that this type of care can be harmful and may lead to the inappropriate institutionalisation of individuals. Rather than facilitating rehabilitation, short stays often draw the system back into an institutional mindset. This outcome affects people who actually require recovery services rather than long-term residential placement.
The report highlights the risk posed by a continued reliance on volunteer-led services. Without sufficient financial and other supports, volunteers may become overstretched or unavailable. The commission called for action to reduce the risk of dementia earlier in life and to support people with the condition in living where they want for as long as possible.
Module two of the commission’s work is expected to be published next year. That report will focus on developing a strategic and costed care framework. The findings from the first module provide the baseline data for that future planning.
