An 89-year-old woman is reportedly spending up to 19 hours a day in bed due to pressures on home care services, a situation described as "deeply concerning and totally unacceptable" by the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland. Siobhan Casey stated that no older person should be forced to end their day prematurely because their required care package cannot be fully delivered.
Casey's office has observed a significant rise in calls from older individuals and their families experiencing difficulties in accessing domiciliary care. Common issues include delays in hospital discharges, reduced care provision, and prolonged waits for essential support, particularly in rural areas. "Older people need more than apologies. They need action," she emphasized.
She has urged the Department of Health, the Executive, and Health and Social Care Trusts to collaborate urgently on addressing staffing shortages. The goal is to ensure that older individuals receive the necessary care to maintain safe and independent living within their own homes. In response, the Department of Health indicated that homecare is a specific focus for the Social Care Collaborative Reform Board. Their ongoing work involves reviewing demand, capacity, commissioning, and the overall model of homecare to ensure its suitability for current and future needs.
One described case illustrates the severity of the issue, where carers provide an evening meal and medication during an afternoon visit, around 3:00 PM, and then assist the individual to bed for the night. This situation reflects the broader challenges faced by many elderly individuals relying on home care services.