Study seeks better day-service use for elderly

The Government is failing to take advantage of the huge benefits day care services can provide for elderly people, it was claimed today.

According to a new study from the National Council on Ageing and Older People (NCOAP), day services can not only provide a lifeline for elderly people living alone, but they can also benefit the State financially.

The report notes that by allowing elderly people to live at home, day care services remove the need for expensive and often unnecessary institutional care.

The study, entitled The Role and Future Development of Day Services for Older People in Ireland, was released today by the Minister of State at the Deparment of Health, Mr Ivor Callely, at the NCOAP's conference in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

It is based on interviews with 180 users and providers of day services in 15 areas around the country. It that elderly people benefit hugely from the nursing and therapeutic care available through day centre, as well as receiving much-needed social interaction.

Most older people who responded to the study said the daily interaction with others of their age was of huge importance. "They feel that their day has a purpose and that they are doing something constructive by developing new friendships and social networks," the report notes.

However, the study found there were "numerous gaps, deficits and weaknesses" in the provision of day care services. It noted there were serious difficulties in providing a number of services, including physiotherapy and care for people with dementia.

A large element of this was down to problems with staffing levels, the NCOAP noted, adding that there was "significant anxiety" among existing staff over workforce levels.

The support system for family carers looking after people with a high level of dependency was also criticised.