A CHARITY that supports older people to age at home has won a major award.
ALONE won the overall HSE Excellence Award for its innovative Support Coordination hub development for older people in Dublin North city and county.
As Ireland’s aging demographic increases and one third of older people now live alone, ALONE says that new community supports and services are required to support older people throughout the day.
ALONE’s ‘Innovative Support Coordination for Older Persons’ is a joint project between ALONE and the HSE which aims to keep older people living well at home for as long as possible.
It addresses issues faced by older people living in their own homes and works with statutory bodies, community organisation and other service providers to ensure that the older people get the supports they need.
The Support Coordination hub model provides scalable, transferable and effective services that can be purchased, replicated, or shared.
By co-ordinating and organising services for older people who might need some extra support to continue living at home or some practical help to return home from hospital, the two organisations have, to date, supported over 700 older people in Dublin North city and county.
Sean Moynihan, chief executive of ALONE, said they were delighted to have won the overall HSE Excellence Award.
“This award recognises the high quality of our Support Coordination services and the level of care and support we offer to older people,” said Mr Moynihan.
“Our plan is to continue developing this service, using the latest technology, and support 20,000 older people directly and 14,000 indirectly annually by 2022.”
“We want to thank the HSE for recognising the work we are doing, and to all of the volunteers and everyone who has made this project a success.”
For those who have concerns about their own wellbeing, or the wellbeing of a vulnerable older person in their community, ALONE can be contacted on 01-6791032 or visit www.alone.ie