Strategy aimed at helping older people access supports

ALONE, the national organisation supporting older people to age happily and securely at home, has launched its new Strategic Plan 2026–2029, ‘Delivering What Matters’, at a time when growing numbers of older people are experiencing poverty, loneliness and barriers to essential supports.

Ireland’s population is ageing rapidly. The number of people aged 65 and over is projected to double again over the next 20 years, with far‑reaching implications for communities, public services and how we support people as they age.

ALONE’s new strategy acknowledges the scale and complexity of these challenges, but it is firmly focused on the future. It sets out a clear, ambitious vision for how Ireland can respond differently — by building a system that works around older people, rather than expecting older people and their families to navigate complex systems alone.

The strategy reflects a whole‑of‑government approach, led by the health sector and fully integrated with social care. By working collectively across the State, ALONE aims to ensure that all services available to older people are connected, coordinated and accessible through every point of entry.

A central priority of the strategy is the creation of consistency and equity in services nationwide, so that every older person can expect the same standard of care and support, regardless of where they live.

ALONE’s frontline experience shows that while many supports exist, they are often difficult to access. Older people and their families can spend months filling out forms, repeating their stories and chasing agencies at times of stress or crisis. The new strategy is designed to remove that burden.

ALONE acts as a trusted front door and connector, bringing together health, social care, community supports, entitlements and national policies into one coordinated response that works seamlessly on behalf of the person.

This approach places the individual at the centre. For someone like Mary, aged 76 and living alone in Mayo, this means support arrives through her front door without her having to navigate complex systems. Practical help, social connection, healthcare supports and entitlements are coordinated around her needs, allowing her to live well, remain independent and stay connected to her community.

Behind the scenes, ALONE absorbs the complexity, turning policy into practical support while ensuring calm, consistency and dignity for the person and reassurance for their family.

In 2026 ALONE will support 52,300 older people across Ireland, working alongside thousands of volunteers and 300 staff in partnership with community organisations nationwide. Together, they will deliver practical, social and emotional supports that helped older people stay connected, maintain independence and live well at home.

ALONE’s research and frontline work show that many older people are struggling with rising living costs, poor housing, declining health and social isolation, while facing increasing difficulty accessing timely, coordinated supports. This strategy responds directly to those realities, shifting the focus away from crisis response alone, towards ensuring the right support is available at the right time.

Beyond individual impact, the strategy seeks to deliver significant system benefits. A more coordinated and preventative approach will help reduce hospital admissions and delayed discharges, ease pressure on emergency departments and reduce reliance on long‑term residential care. For society, this represents better value, better outcomes and a more sustainable response to an ageing population.

Launching the strategy, ALONE CEO Sean Moynihan said: “Ageing is one of the most significant changes facing Ireland, and how we respond will define the kind of society we become. This strategy recognises the challenges older people face today, but it is firmly focused on the future. It is about building a system that works — one that brings services together, removes barriers and ensures every older person can live with dignity, independence and connection. We know what works, and we are determined to make sure no older person is left behind.”

Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, said,: “This strategy recognises both the scale of Ireland’s ageing population and the importance of responding in a co-ordinated, forward‑looking way. It highlights the vital role of community‑based supports in helping older people remain independent, connected and secure, and I welcome ALONE’s continued leadership and commitment to working in partnership with Government and others to deliver practical solutions that improve quality of life for older people across the country.”