Organisation: Alone

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Alone's annual survey revealed that almost 70% of older people generally said their standard of living had been impacted by rising prices. File picture: iStock</p>

news

'Every day is a constant struggle': Half of older people struggling to pay bills, says charity

Alone said that the areas of most concern for older people are energy and heating, food prices, household maintenance and the cost of care

<p>Alone chief executive Sean Moynihan told the committee: 'Despite multiple reports by the Department of Health, there has been no progress relating to identifying a suitable funding mechanism for home support.' Picture: Arthur Carron</p>

news

Lack of oversight means homecare is 'based mainly on trust', committee hears

<p>While we should certainly not make assumptions about any one person's death, Alone and other advocates say a disconnection from society can sometimes lead to a sad and lonely death.</p>

spotlight

Mick Clifford: Why are people dying alone and undiscovered?

news

Loneliness, housing and financial support top reasons for older people contacting Alone

news

Older people struggling with high energy costs and food bills, survey finds

news

Committee calls for 10% increase to all social welfare payments

Ó Broin says report shows 'impending growth' in older people becoming homeless

Mr Ó Broin said homes could be provided to those over 65 who are currently in emergency accommodation within a year by using new building technologies in modular homes

Thu, 11 May, 2023

Woman looking at houses and flats in the window of an estate agent in London, UK

'Housing is at the root of all my concerns' says 55-year-old renter with cancer

A new report has found a quarter of older Irish people renting expect to remain doing so for the remainder of their lives

Thu, 11 May, 2023

'I’m not going into a hostel at 70' - Vulnerable woman facing eviction speaks out

Mary Linden said: “I’m having a hysterectomy on May 19 and I have to go somewhere for two weeks to recuperate,”

Sat, 18 Mar, 2023

White Christmas could be on the cards as temperatures drop

Ireland could enjoy a winter wonderland this Christmas — but people are also being warned to wrap up, stay warm, and take care on roads and paths

Sat, 10 Dec, 2022

Wish List: Quirky corkscrews, Christmas cards and cool coffee sets

Esther N McCarthy runs through this week's must-haves

Sun, 27 Nov, 2022

Woman reading food labels at grocery store

Carbon tax hike leaves people with 'impossible choice' between food and heat

Charities including SVP and Alone say lower-income households will be hit particularly hard by the increase that came into effect today

Sun, 01 May, 2022

'Pain now and more pain to come' as household bills soar

As well as record energy price hikes, consumers face sharp rises in staples such as milk, bread, pasta, and sugar. And, experts warn, these rising prices could soon “seep in” to other parts of the economy.

Fri, 08 Apr, 2022

Ageing in the pandemic: 'My comfort and security had been pulled out from under me'

Older people, and professionals and volunteers working with them, speak about the particular challenges they have faced in the last two years in terms of their physical and mental health

Sat, 22 Jan, 2022

Toy Show's Nanny Pat: 'There weren't enough hugs to go around this year'

Skype keeps 'Late Late Toy Show' stars Nanny Pat and Tom Cullen connected but there will be nothing like having dinner together face to face this Christmas

Thu, 23 Dec, 2021

Alone urges public to support older people hit hard by 'ageist' pandemic

Charity has appealed to people to reconnect with the older community and help them feel supported and like they belong

Tue, 23 Nov, 2021

Older people's support charity sees massive spike in contacts during pandemic

Alone said it received almost 42,000 calls to its national support line from March 9 to the end of December last year and at its peak it reached 1,100 calls in one day

Mon, 27 Sep, 2021

Samaritans Ireland answered a call for help every 56 seconds last year

The report has been launched ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day this coming Friday

Wed, 08 Sep, 2021

One in four people have suffered mental health deterioration during the pandemic

One fifth of respondents felt their overall health was worse than when Covid-19 began, according to a new survey

Wed, 25 Aug, 2021

Alone has fielded more than 50,000 calls to its support line since the pandemic hit

The organisation, which supports older people, said it had supported an increasing number of people in need over the course of the pandemic

Mon, 19 Jul, 2021

Alone: Government must act to prevent homelessness among elderly

The charity is calling for the provision of secure, long-term rental tenure and more social housing

Fri, 04 Jun, 2021

Elaine Loughlin: Charities fall on hard times as Covid leaves €445m funds gap

The coronavirus pandemic has left many of the country’s charitable institutions struggling to cope and searching desperately for lifelines as traditional fundraising streams have mostly dried up, writes Political Correspondent Elaine Loughlin

Thu, 29 Oct, 2020

Groups want €7 rise in social welfare and State pension in Budget

Minimum social welfare rates should increase by €7 in Budget 2021, according to Social Justice Ireland. The organisation will propose the rise to the Social Protection Minister at a pre-Budget forum today.

Thu, 30 Jul, 2020

ALONE helps families to connect

Little things can make a big difference for elderly.

Tue, 23 Jun, 2020

Calls to ALONE charity top 100,000 as coronavirus pandemic sparks increased calls for help

More than 100,000 calls to older people in need of support have been placed by ALONE since March.

Mon, 15 Jun, 2020

Older people facing long-term health impact after cocooning, according to Alone

Older people who are cocooning face a long-term impact on their physical and mental wellbeing, according to Alone.

Tue, 12 May, 2020

Chinese cities donate 40,000 face masks to Cork hospitals

Some of China's largest cities have donated 40,000 face masks to Cork hospitals thanks to an almost 20-year twinning link.

Mon, 27 Apr, 2020

Niall Horan donates €100k to Alone

Singer Niall Horan has donated €100,000 to Alone, the organisation that supports older people, enabling them to continue providing vital support and assistance during the coronavirus crisis.

Sat, 18 Apr, 2020

Frontline Workers: Virus bringing back tradition of writing

Postcards from children to much missed grandparents, covered in drawings of flowers and of families holding hands under a bright yellow sun, are some of the special deliveries postman Anthony Buckley makes to the isolating every day.

Sun, 12 Apr, 2020

Samaritans Ireland appeals for donations; ALONE welcomes banking supports for elderly

Major and minor fundraising events have been cancelled and curtailed, while volunteering and other efforts are restricted due to physical distancing.

Wed, 08 Apr, 2020

Intel donates €500,000 to Irish charities in support of Covid-19 efforts

This donation is part of a wider international campaign to support communities where Intel has a presence.

Mon, 06 Apr, 2020

1,000 smartphones donated to isolated elderly people

The smartphones are pre-loaded with useful apps, including WhatsApp, Facebook and Spotify

Thu, 26 Mar, 2020

Alone launches support line for older people with coronavirus concerns

The number to call is 0818 222 024.

Thu, 12 Mar, 2020

‘People are upset and worried’: Services working to help older people worried about Covid-19

Last week, Senior Line saw a small increase in calls of about 10%, but approximately 80% of those calls mentioned coronavirus.

Mon, 09 Mar, 2020

Letter to the Editor: A vote for older people is also for our future selves

With every budget and general election campaign, promises to add a fiver to the pension come in thick and fast.

Thu, 06 Feb, 2020

Louise O’Neill: The empty seat at the table becomes more apparent when everything else remains the same

I estimate that this is the fourth Christmas column I’ve written for the Irish Examiner, and while I haven’t looked back at the others, I have a sneaking suspicion there are certain similarities between them all.

Fri, 20 Dec, 2019

Michael Clifford: Age is just a number but it keeps adding up

Is the country destined to wait until the challenges of aging morph into a crisis before action is even contemplated, asks Michael Clifford

Fri, 29 Nov, 2019

Charity for the elderly says 'make our minutes count' this Christmas

The group is appealing for volunteers of all ages and in all areas to spend time with older people in the community.

Fri, 15 Nov, 2019

This Much I Know: Journalist and Writer, Valerie Cox

In conversation with Hilary Fennell.

Mon, 11 Nov, 2019

Post office worker called gardaí when ill pensioner missed her pension payment

"They found the lady inside and she was very ill. Thank God she is alive but if they hadn’t gone to the house what would have happened?”

Fri, 25 Oct, 2019

An Irish robot has made the cover of Time magazine

Stevie, the socially assistive robot, was initially created in 2017 by Prof Conor McGinn and the team at Trinity College.

Fri, 25 Oct, 2019

Calls for €7 increase to lift pensioners above poverty line

A charity that supports tens of thousands of older people in Ireland has called for the state pension to be increased by €7 in this year’s budget.

Tue, 01 Oct, 2019

50 new housing units acquired in Dublin for older people on waiting list

50 new housing units in Inchicore in Dublin have been acquired by the ALONE charity.

Wed, 03 Jul, 2019

ALONE holding first ever 'Donation Day' in Dublin

The charity ALONE, which supports older people living at home, says demand has never been greater but funds are running thin.

Thu, 04 Apr, 2019

One in three over-65s lives alone; ALONE is asking everyone to reach out to older neighbours

"100,000 older people suffer isolation and loneliness to the extent that it will shorten their lives," he said. "One in three over-65s live on their own."

Sun, 23 Dec, 2018

Reaching out: Looking out for elderly neighbours over Christmas

As winter draws in, one of the country’s leading charities for older people is calling for loneliness to become a public health issue, writes Marjorie Brennan.

Fri, 23 Nov, 2018

Call for single government body to tackle social isolation

The Government is being urged to appoint one department to battle loneliness and social isolation.

Sat, 12 May, 2018

Charity warns Ireland’s ageing population will ’impact every part of Irish life’

The number of older people in Ireland will go from half a million to a million and a half over the next five years.

Mon, 01 Jan, 2018

Pensioner narrowly avoids being homeless for Christmas

A man aged 71, who was five days away from becoming homeless, has received accommodation.

Sat, 16 Dec, 2017

The 40-year-old charity that ensures no-one dies alone and poor

A new book chronicles the first 40 years of the charity that ensures no-one dies alone and poor anymore, says Helen O’Callaghan

Thu, 23 Nov, 2017