Age Action has welcomed this morning’s publication of the Government’s review of the Nursing Home Support Scheme, known as the Fair Deal scheme.
Justin Moran, Head of Advocacy and Communications at Age Action, said: “We welcome this morning’s announcement that there will be no increase in the contribution required from nursing home residents.
“Many older people were worried they would be facing a reduction in their already low fixed incomes or increased charges on their assets. This morning’s decision will be a relief to them and to their families.”
There are a number of other positive recommendations in the report, including increased transparency in the additional charges faced by many residents and an emphasis on community care.
Justin Moran continued: “The emphasis on increasing provision of community care is welcome but there is a lack of detail about how this will be done.
“In recent years there has been a 44 per cent increase in the number of older people in nursing homes categorised as ‘low dependency’ by the HSE.
“More home and community supports would enable many of these people to stay at home longer. That’s a better outcome for the older people themselves and it would help to reduce the cost of the Nursing Home Support Scheme.
“It is important that the Inter-departmental Working Group established to implement this report moves ahead quickly and that it engages formally with groups representing older people as it develops the implementation plan for this report.”
For more information contact Justin Moran, Head of Advocacy and Communications with Age Action, on 087-9682449.