Dutch Housing & Care Leaders Embark on Study Mission to Meath
Dutch delegates on a learning and exchange programme to explore innovative solutions for supporting vulnerable citizens in our communities with Irish counterparts were welcomed to Meath County Council headquarters last week.
The delegates, including CEOs, Senior Policy Advisors and Programme Managers of social housing organisations and care providers were in Ireland to exchange knowledge and share best practices.
Age Friendly Ireland, a local government shared service hosted by Meath County Council, hosted the delegation and showcased some innovative practices such as the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme. This is a new service that provides one-to-one support in the home to older people to assist with the process of housing adaptations and accessing services that enable independent living.
Like Ireland, the Netherlands is facing a double challenge. On one hand there is an increasing demand for care and (supported) housing from the growing ageing population as well as from other vulnerable citizens. Simultaneously, a labour shortage in caregiving work, coupled with a decline in women undertaking unpaid caregiving roles, is impacting how care is provided at home. This challenge is faced by most European countries. Consequently, a new type of housing and innovative social care provision is urgently required. Meeting the needs of the growing ageing population with age friendly housing and supports to age in place will also require co-operation between different sectors, including local authorities, health and social care services, the voluntary sector and private housing providers.
The study visit travelled to Duleek to see Colliers Place, an award-winning age friendly housing development managed by North & East Housing Association. The 22 units are designed to accommodate older residents and people with more limited mobility. There are 18 one-bed and 4 two-bed bungalows. Pat Costelloe of North and East Housing outlined the key features of the developmentthat support older residents:
• Universal Design features making the homes fully accessible (for example, level access wet room)
• A rated for energy
• Integrated into the community in a town centre location
• Security features
Ireland is the first country in the world to have full affiliation to the World Health Organisation’s Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities, with an active Age Friendly Programme in each of the 31 Irish local authorities. This work is supported at national level with Meath County Council hosting the national shared service centre for Age Friendly Ireland.
Age Friendly strategies help to put plans and services in place to meet the needs of the growing ageing population, with a particular focus on age friendly environments. By 2051, it is estimated there will be 1.6 million people aged 65+ living in Ireland.
Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer of the Age Friendly Shared Service explained the importance of the focus on housing:
“Housing is one of the key social determinants of health. Age Friendly housing located in close proximity to services with age friendly design features means that older people can remain living at home for as long as possible. It is very welcome that wider partners, such as our National Health Service Executive is planning for the ageing demographic, with a focus on the development of Age Friendly Primary Care Centres, Age Friendly Hospitals and new models of residential care. In the spirit of the Housing Options for our Ageing Population policy, all sectors need to work together to ensure there is choice for older people about where they live and that the appropriate supports are in place.”