ALONE Highlights Urgent Need for Supports for Older People on International Day of Persons with Disabilities - 04/12/2025

On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, ALONE is urging renewed national focus on ensuring that older people with disabilities can remain safe, well, and independent in their own homes. As disability becomes more common with age, the organisation warns that Ireland’s current supports are not keeping pace with the needs of an ageing population. Recent Census data shows that 22% of people in Ireland (1.1 million individuals) report having a disability. The prevalence increases sharply with age: 41% of people aged 60 and over live with some form of disability, rising to 76% among those aged 85+. Despite this, many older people do not have access to the essential supports that allow them to stay safely at home. Many older individuals are living in homes that were never designed to accommodate mobility challenges or age-related disabilities. Others are struggling to access services due to long waiting lists, inconsistent provision across regions, and the unaffordability of adaptations and assistive technology.  Head of Research, Advocacy, and Policy for ALONE, Aileen O’Reilly, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.