Jim Daly: No matter what age you are, there's no place like home

The pandemic exposed Ireland's poor planning and provision for life in our later years. Rather than waste that crisis, we must now reinvent nursing homes — and make homecare the norm

People live healthier and happier lives behind their own front door rather than in care. And yet, recent figures show that Ireland spends 60% of its older persons' budget on residential care catering for just 4% of over-65s.  Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Never waste a good crisis, as stated by Winston Churchill, is a truism well worth remembering today: With all the challenges that are currently facing us as a society, there are also many opportunities that need to be grasped. 

One such opportunity for Ireland lies in the need to finally put homecare ahead of residential care in the upcoming budget. Ireland needs to acknowledge that home is the safest place for older people, and we need to move our care out from residential settings and into people’s homes.