Older people ‘should have financial help to downsize’

New report urges incentives to boost independent living and cut number of under-occupied homes

OLDER people should be given financial incentives to downsize and move to new communities where their needs in later life can be met, according to a new report on housing.

The unpublished report says the Government is examining ways to incentivise older people in public and private housing to “right-size to appropriately sized units”.

“The process will begin with a formal scheme in social housing in 2019,” it says.

The report also says 50pc of all new apartment development should be suitable for older people and those with mobility issues.

The Housing Options for Our Aging Population report recommends that 30pc of new houses should also be built to accommodate the country’s aging population.

The aim of the Government’s policy document is to ensure older people can live independently for longer in “age-friendly neighbourhoods”.

This will result in a better quality of life while also costing the State less.

The report insists older people can only thrive when they are living in areas with appropriate health and social services.

The report makes 40 recommendations which include introducing a State scheme to match older homeowners who have spare rooms with people seeking accommodation.

The project — which is similar to the ‘‘Granny Flat Grant’’ REPORT: Minister Jim Daly proposed by Transport Minister Shane Ross — would also see the State provide funding so homes could be adapted to accommodate renters.

“This scheme will match those older people with under-occupancy that wish to share their home with persons who require housing in exchanges for providing practical support,” the report states.

The report says funding for the Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme should be increased to allow more older people to retrofit their homes.

It also calls for the introduction of a community grant scheme to fund voluntary services for older people.

The report, which was drafted by Minister for Older People Jim Daly and Minister of State in the Department of Housing Damien English, also calls for significant capital investment in public and private housing developments suitable for older people.

The cross departmental review found a large number of people aged over 55 living in social housing are interested in moving to more age appropriate accommodation.

It also identified a signif- icant number of under-occupied homes where older people are living in houses that are too big for their current need.

These people would like “options to right-size” but that there is a lack of appropriate housing stock.

Another issue raised was the lack of alternative housing available to people who wish to downsize within their own communities.

“While there is a wide range of services, social opportunities and existing facilities in place, many people still feel socially isolated, have difficulty accessing information and may not have access to transport,” the report says.

A high percentage of older people are living with a disability which impacts on their quality of life in their home.

In the report’s forward, Mr Daly said the Government is examining new housing models which “fall between home care and full-time nursing home care”.

“The objective is to ensure older people stay socially connected within their community and to provide essential care and supports where needed, while preserving and protecting independence, functionality, and social connectedness for as long as possible,” he said.

Mr English also said: “Living in appropriate housing with timely access to health and social care services can result in measurably improved health status for older people and contribute to a greater sense of well-being, in addition to being financially sustainable.”