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Report into older people and domiciliary care: together with minutes of proceedings of the committee relating to the report and the minutes of evidence
- Author:
- NORTHERN IRELAND. Northern Ireland Assembly. Public Accounts Committee
- Publisher:
- Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Assembly. Public Accounts Committee
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
Many workers are deserting their posts because of poor morale, a report from the Public Accounts Committee said. It examined how the Department of Health is trying to transform its system from mainly residential care to supported care at home. It said steps must be taken to raise the esteem of the caring profession. The report added: "The committee advised that failure to address this issue could lead to a shortfall in the standard and supply of domiciliary care services for older people." The recommendations come in a paper entitled "Report into Older People and Domiciliary Care at home". Some workers are paid close to the minimum wage of £5.52 per hour and private companies which provide the care have accused health authorities of failing to set aside enough money, said the committee. In the voluntary sector, the lack of guaranteed hours, the low hourly rates payable and the often poor conditions of employment can affect the morale of staff and hinder recruitment and retention of staff.
Understanding fuel poverty in the older population: research brief
- Author:
- CENTRE FOR AGEING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN IRELAND
- Publisher:
- Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 16p.
- Place of publication:
- Dublin
Fuel poverty is defined as a situation where someone is unable to afford to heat their home to a level that is healthy and safe. It is caused by the interaction of high fuel prices, low income and poor energy efficiency in the home. The Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI) funded an all-island study in December 2009 which further builds on existing knowledge on fuel poverty but with a particular focus on older people. It involved an analysis of existing data and research on fuel poverty, a survey with older people on fuel poverty issues in ROI and an examination of mortality patterns in NI and ROI. It also identifies the groups among the older population who are most at risk of fuel poverty and the implications for their health and well-being. Key findings revealed that the older population is principally affected the most, with each one degree centigrade decrease in temperature being associated with 2.6% increased total mortality. The risk of fuel poverty is concentrated among older people living alone across the island of Ireland. 29% of all older people in ROI live alone and 32% of older people in NI. Increasing fuel allowance will in itself not address the root of the problem which centres on energy inefficient homes, low incomes and rising fuel prices.
A profile of older people in Northern Ireland: annual update (2015)
- Author:
- NORTHERN IRELAND. Statistics and Research Agency
- Publisher:
- Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 126
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
The fourth in a series of annual statistical reports produced to highlight the socio-economic circumstances of older people in Northern Ireland, monitor changes in their circumstances over time and the factors that cause them to be at risk of exclusion. Chapters cover: population estimates and projections; health, residential care, community care and carers; numbers and characteristics of pensioner households; composition of low income pensioner groups; risk of falling into low income pensioner groups; comparison of low income groups in Northern Ireland and the UK; lifestyle, including access to the internet; fuel poverty; and crime. Findings reported include: that number and proportion of older people in the population is steadily increasing and is projected to continue to do so; as age increases so does the likelihood of them suffering a long term condition; and that households headed by older people were much more likely to be living in fuel poverty than other households in 2011. (Edited publisher abstract)
Devolution's impact on low-income people and places
- Authors:
- MCCORMICK Jim, HARROP Anne
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 19p.
- Place of publication:
- York
This paper summarises reports commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and cross-country seminars held in 2009 in Edinburgh, Cardiff, London and Belfast on the impact of the past ten years of devolution on people and places in poverty. Trends in economic and social disadvantage and policy developments on four themes, housing and homelessness, employment, neighbourhood regeneration and care for older people were measured using 16 indicators. Challenges for policy makers and practitioners in the years ahead were identified. Particularly in Scotland and North East England, levels of poverty have been falling and employment rates have been improving. Social housing improvements have been seen but low income households, renting privately or paying a mortgage, were more likely to live below housing quality standards. Low income neighbourhoods saw community development, but the ‘stop-go’ devolution in Northern Ireland hampered progress. Scotland’s costly universal approach to social care for older people with low incomes was contrasted with the less costly Welsh system. With limited powers available in Wales, the impact of devolved policies on disadvantaged people is not yet fully evident. The authors call for better evaluation evidence in the future to identify benefits for low income people and places to enable devolved administrations and centralised government to share knowledge.