The population of older people is the largest growing demographic in the world with approximately 703 million people aged 65 or older (UN, 2019). Health and wellbeing services are required to support this rapid increase in population and change in demographic dynamic (Department of Health, 2013). ALONE is a national organisation that provides a wide range of supports that allow older adults to positively and securely age within their own homes and communities. ALONE’s work aims to tackle social isolation, loneliness, and improve the health and wellbeing of older people across Ireland. This research aims to provide a descriptive portrayal of the response of older adults to ALONE services. Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following research questions; (i) what are the demographic characteristics of older adults who seek support from ALONE? (2) what are the clinical characteristics of those being served? and (3) what are the implications of these findings for service delivery?
Data from older people who engage with ALONE services across nine geographical Community Health Organisation (CHO) locations are captured through an online system designed to record salient clinical, case management and service delivery information. For this research, data captured from older people who engaged with ALONE’s services between January 2022 and June 2023 will be analysed. Data will include demographics, presenting needs, social factors relating to older people’s health, and nature, duration and frequency of service engagement. Descriptive and inferential analyses will be conducted.
The findings from this research will provide useful information on the needs of older people in Ireland and contribute to our understanding of emerging features of innovative health service delivery for older people in Ireland. These findings will support policymakers and service providers in creating and implementing health and social care community services for older people.
