Nearly 6,000 extra beds in community care facilities will be put in place between now and 2006 in a major reform of services for older people, under proposals included in the health strategy.
Quality standards, drawn up by the Department of Health, the Social Services Inspectorate, and the National Council for Ageing and Older People, will finally be imposed on residential and community homes. State funding for long-stay care will be directed towards those on low incomes, while families will be expected to pay part of the bill, where that is found to be possible.
In particular, the reports recommends that places in community and care nursing units increase by 800 a year - rather than the 300 promised by the National Development Plan. Between 1997 and 2000 the Department of Health created just 800 places, despite spending more than £60 million. This year, the State is spending nearly that amount again.
Extra assessment and rehabilitation beds will be provided in acute hospital services. Geriatric services will be expanded, and more geriatricians employed.
Better day care will be offered to treat patients with osteoporosis, fractures, Parkinson's disease, heart failure and incontinence. Stroke units will be provided on general hospital sites.
Each health board will be required to take better note of the needs of older patients and to listen to their opinions.
The numbers over 65s in Ireland are growing by 6,000 a year. In 1996 some 402,000 people were over 65. By 2011, this will jump to 504,000. By 2031, it will reach about 850,000. The aim will be to help older people to live at home "in dignity and independence" for as long as possible.
