Housing crisis for older people 'unfolding in front of our eyes'

Professor Rose Anne Kenny said patients have told her, 'I can’t once I retire afford my rent and I’ll have to leave my community.' File picture: Julien Behal

A housing crisis for older people is “unfolding in front of our eyes” as home ownership levels drop and rental costs rise out of reach for anyone relying on pensions, advocates and doctors have warned. 

Housing is a problem for about one in three people seeking help from the charity Alone, while Age Action warned that the crisis is growing.

Speakers told the Oireachtas health committee on Wednesday morning that only 5% of older people need to live in nursing homes and the conversation needs to be wider and include people at risk of homelessness.

Professor Rose Ann Kenny, a consultant geriatrician who is involved with The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (Tilda) said the data shows homeownership is dropping among older people.

“We know in the first wave of data, we started 20 years ago, only 7% of those aged 50 and older were in rented accommodation,” she said.

“That’s more than doubled in that period of time and it will continue to get worse.” 

Prof Kenny said that patients have told her, “I can’t once I retire afford my rent and I’ll have to leave my community.” 

She called for a cross-departmental government approach to the housing issue and other issues associated with ageing. 

Alone chief executive Sean Moynihan said: “Older people are sometimes left out of the housing conversation.” 

He pointed to the cost-of-living crisis and rising prices, stating: “How do you pay the rent when you retire or if you are bereaved?” 

Call for 'housing with care' model

Mr Moynihan called for a ‘housing with care’ model akin to those in other countries to be set-up and funded.

“It combines independent, own-door living with access to 24/7 onsite non-medical supports, enabling older people to maintain dignity, independence, and community connection for as long as possible,” he said.

Age Action head of advocacy and public affairs Camille Loftus said: “We have a housing crisis unfolding in front of us, right in front of us.” 

She told senator Maria Byrne that while retirement villages are welcome, residents are often treated as licensees rather than tenants for legal purposes. 

The charity has been contacted by people in supported housing where electricity was out or lifts broken for long periods, she said.

Ms Loftus said any alternative housing options must be properly regulated.

She said: “We have tolerated ageism for a long, long time now.” 

Dr Siobhan Kennelly, a consultant geriatrician, told Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O’Sullivan that housing and other supports for older people caring for adults with disabilities are crucial.

She described one recent case, that involved a man in his 50s working from home while caring for his father, who has severe disabilities, his mother, who has advanced dementia, and a brother with significant autism and other needs.

Supports and more awareness are needed so people know where to get help, she added. 

Concerns were also raised about limited access to rehabilitation care, which can prevent older people from living independently at home or lead to longer-than-necessary hospital stays.

Dr Kennelly told Fine Gael TD Colm Burke this is “a massive issue” for older people.

Prof Kenny said people’s physical health has a significant impact on how they age, especially after 70.