What Does 'Aging in Place' mean in Ireland?

As we mark International Day of the Older Person 2025, a global observance recognised by the United Nations, we reflect on the importance of dignity, rights, and inclusion for older individuals. In Ireland, the concept of "Aging in Place" has gained significant attention, focusing on supporting older people to continue living in the comfort of their own homes as they grow older. Aging in place is about more than just staying in your own home, it’s about maintaining independence, dignity and safety with easy access to necessary support and services.  

We’ll explore what aging in place means in the Irish context: what it involves, what supports are in place, challenges, and how individuals and communities can make it a realistic option. 

What Is Aging in Place? 

Aging in place in its most simplistic terms is the act of staying in your own home as you grow older. There are many reasons why a person may choose to age in place, typically they may have lived in their own home for the majority of their lives and they wish to stay in an environment with emotional and social ties. The choice to age in place is extremely important for older adults as: 

• It gives the individual choice over how one lives, how one receives help, and when. 
• Ensures that resources are put in place so that loved ones are able to live comfortably, and be supported, physically, mentally, and socially at home. 
• Creates pathways to ensure individuals can easily access care at home services or community services which means reducing the number of people who move into a care home unnecessarily.  

Why Is Aging in Place Important in Ireland? 

It's reported that over 1,200 people under-65 are currently living in nursing homes in Ireland, with an average of 32 individuals under 65 entering a nursing home each month. This highlights the importance of making aging in place possible. There are several factors that make this an especially important issue in Ireland today: 

Demographic shift 
Ireland’s population is ageing rapidly. The proportion of people aged 65+ is growing, and it’s predicted that the population of Ireland aged 65 and over is going to double in the next 30 years. This means increased demand for supports that allow older people to remain in the community.  

Personal preference 
Many older people prefer to stay in their own home rather than move to a nursing home: familiarity, comfort, community and family connections are meaningful. 

Economic and systemic benefits 
Supporting people to stay at home (where possible) can be more cost-effective than residential care. It can also reduce pressure on long-term care facilities and hospitals.  

Policy momentum 
The Irish government has rolled out several programmes and grants to support aging in place: the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme, housing adaptation grants, and other Age Friendly initiatives through local authorities. 

Key Supports & Programmes in Ireland for Aging in Place  

To make aging in place viable, Ireland has developed supports across different areas. Here are some to check out if you have an older loved one wishing to age in place.  

• Age Friendly Ireland work across a number of areas across Ireland to support the delivery and access to Age Friendly Homes for Older People in Ireland. They also offer a wide range of programmes such as the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme
  
• Age Action Ireland: Helps older people stay in homes by offering DIY services in people's homes and offers training on vital topics such as ageism in the workplace and the needs of older learners. 
• Ageinginplace.ie:
  Home adaptation company servicing all of Ireland, also provides information on available funding and grants. 
• Voluntary, Community and Charitable Services. Organisations like ALONE provide support with befriending, connection and offer the opportunity for family members to make referrals for relatives. 
  
• Care at home providers like HaloCare. At HaloCare, our mission is to empower people of all ages and abilities to live quality, independent lives in their own homes, supported by innovative technology and our 24/7 Care Hub team. We have Safety and Social & Wellness at the forefront of everything we do.  

What can a Circle of Care do to help? 

If someone wants to age in place, there are practical steps they or their Circle of Care can take: 

• Plan early: The best thing to do for loved ones is to be proactive rather than reactive. Think ahead about likely future needs such as mobility, vision, hearing, so that modifications or supports can be put in place before urgent need. Take into consideration equipment can come with long lead times or waiting lists for professional assessments, if required.  

• Explore grants & supports: Talk to your local authority about housing adaptation grants and see what support is available in your area. Supporting loved ones with research around grants and funding can help with the process of getting equipment or support in place.  

• Make home modifications: Even small changes such as grab rails, non‑slip floors and good lighting can make a big difference to safety at home.  

• Use technology to help support: Technology can help make 24/7 care possible. Install alarm systems in the home and research easy‑to‑use phones / devices to help with safety, monitoring and communication. 

• Talk to healthcare professionals: Get assessments from occupational therapists, GPs and social workers as needed, to anticipate care needs. 

Some final thoughts  

Aging in place represents the values of independence, dignity, community, and choice. In Ireland, there is growing policy, community and government support to help make this a realistic, safe, and desirable option for many older people. 

At HaloCare, we believe every person should have the opportunity to age in place with the right support and planning.  

If you have a loved one that wants to age in place or simply someone thinking ahead, now is a great time to explore what supports are in your area, and to plan how you want your later years to look. 

If you’re interested in finding out how HaloCare can help support aging in place, get in touch today.