Older people not getting a Fair Deal on scheme, Age Action claims

Age Action Ireland said that older people with certain medical conditions are not being properly served as part of the Fair Deal scheme.

It comes as a review of the scheme was released on the cost of nursing home care here.

Older people taking part in the scheme, are currently paying 80% of their disposable income, as well as a charge on their total assets.

Age Action Ireland said that the Fair Deal scheme does not include important treatments and facilities such as physiotherapy or wheelchairs.

In addition, the cost of the scheme is "basically bed and board" and does not include necessities like toiletries or a haircut, which must be paid for out of the remaining 20% of their income.

Spokesperson Eamon Timmons said such exemptions do not happen in other areas of the health service.

"For some reason we differentiate when people have a stroke or dementia or Parkinson's and they need to go into a nursing home

"We do have an ageing people, there's no doubt that it will cost more [and] there will be more people who need a nursing home.

"Less than 5% of older people are currently in a nursing home, and that should stay that way … [but] we will have more people going into nursing homes."

He said one of the recommendations in the Fair Deal scheme review is for the government to increase spending in healthcare.