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MORE THAN HALF of older people in Ireland go without food or clothing in order to heat their homes, according to new report on fuel poverty among older people.
Almost a quarter (24 per cent) of older people surveyed described their homes as too cold, while 62 per cent said they were worried about the cost of heating, and 8 per cent admitted to using their ovens to provide additional heat during cold snaps.
The report, Fuel Poverty, Older People and Cold Weather: An All-island Analysis, focused on the experiences of older people between January and April 2011. It presented data showing an excess of wintertime deaths among older people in both the Republic and Northern Ireland.
Winter mortality rates
“Winter mortality rates in both jurisdictions have decreased but there are still significant differences between winter and summer mortality rates in older people, and cold homes can contribute to this phenomenon,” said the principal investigator of the study Professor Pat Goodman.
Previous analysis on cold-related deaths carried out by Dublin Institute of Technology found that each 1C drop in temperature was associated with a 2.6 per cent increase in deaths over the subsequent 40 days – the majority of which occurred in older people.
Institute of Public Health Senior Policy Officer Dr Helen McAvoy pointed out that those most likely to experience fuel poverty were also vulnerable in terms of health. She said this was driven by:
“Older people living in a home they considered ‘too cold’ were more likely to report significant ill-health and disability. Older people who are over 75, older people living alone and those with a chronic illness or disability were particularly vulnerable,” she said.
McAvoy said that a different balance of measures may need to be adopted in each of the island’s jurisdictions, as older people in the Republic were more likely to lack central heating (12 per cent) compared to Northern Ireland (7 per cent).
Budget 2011
It was announced in Budget 2011 that the fuel allowance scheme, paid to those who are unable to provide for the cost of heating their homes, would be altered with a view to making savings. While the scheme previously operated for 32 weeks – from September to the end of April – it will now be cut to 26 weeks.
The move to cut the fuel allowance period has been criticised by Ireland’s Catholic bishops, with Bishop Christopher Jones of Elphin saying the decision could have “a serious impact on older people and those suffering from ill-health”.
A range of groups came together to carry out the research for the report, including Dublin Institute of Technology, the Institute of Public Health in Ireland, Northern Ireland’s Centre of Excellence in Public Health and Brunel University London and funded by the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland.
The research involved a sample of 722 older people
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So many builders out of work … Why not double the dole to insulate all these old houses that these dear people live in and then let them transfer some of their travel pass and get some free fuel. Sounds like a mad idea but id just like to see them warm in their own home.
It doesn’t sound like a mad idea at all Martin. It is such a sane and brilliant idea it’s never going to be realised. Plenty of work to be done in our communities. But this government prefers to send our taxes down the big black bank hole.
I suggested this a few days ago on another thread , in the form of a co operative type . And those out of work ,ok may not earn a fortune BUT they would be DOING some thing and the elderly / poor would have some one to call on them , giving company and especially the elderly ..
As have I for months. This is a challenge for both sides of the imaginary line. A big challenge to those who vote left and unwelcome to those who vote right who would rather herd the disadvantaged into a life of poverty. Im a get the finger out socialist. Every citizen has a role to play.
Nice one Blair the whole piece & that’s what you get out of it !!! .. Anyhoo I’ve tried to get involved in helping older people in my community & it’s impossible I’ve sent emails made phone calls etc. I thought I could at least help one person. You know bring dinner get their shopping light fires & if that bad bring them to my house if the weather gets too bad , but because of all the nasty people around now it near on impossible to help. Does anyone have any ideas or how else I would go about it. Thanks
Hi Joanne, it’s great that you are so interested in helping out. Have you checked out your local volunteer centre? if you volunteer through an organization you will probably need to be Garda Vetted for visiting older people in their homes, though i’m guessing you may know this already…. Its taking about 4 weeks at the moment for vetting. Best of luck with the search.
@ Joanne, well fair play to you, great to know there is still some very good hearted people in the world. Joanne your local St Vincent should be able to give you advise! Best of luck, hope all works out for you and a very Happy Christmas to you and yours!!!!
Bring on a General Election refuse to pay the household charge. Lobby your opposition TD’s and get this damn uncaring crowd of of our Dail.
Cutting benefits to the elderly is one of the most despicable strokes any government can pull and they should be shown the door.
Happy days for bailed out bankers, inept and negligent civil servants, union fat cats and dug out developers. When old people die of cold and lack of facility’s in hospitals it’s time…
I don’t know who you’d replace them with, seems like we need a complete clear out and reformation of all sides
Your right Catriona. It’s in our hands – no one else. There are able politicians on all sides vote with thought, give no party a majority elect the best person for the job and rid the country of corrupt party politics.
Eh. We just had a general election?
We didn’t give any party the majority?
True Barra.
Nothing to prevent another one. This time with seats distributed across party lines to the effect that there would be more cross party involvement in policy making. Not the traditional pairing of Labour with whoever suits at the time and their usual backtracking on their pre election promises and rhetoric.
This infuriates me! They deserve to be able to live in peace not go hungry or cold what has this country come to
Thanks donncha I’ll try again tomorrow I just want to help, I’ve the time to do it now, I mean I’m no carer ive no nursing skills but I can cook & keep them warm .its heartbreaking to think I could help someone living near to me & i don’t even know. Even just to visit & I have little dogs too apparently pets really cheer people up. Like I said I just want to help.
Fair dues, people like you restore my faith in humanity :)
They’ve paid taxes all their lives and worked hard and this is what Ireland has done for them. Old hungrey and freezing in their elder years. Enda kenny and all before you should drop your head in shame.
I understand that we are all under a lot of financial pressure, but any son or daughter who lets their parents suffer through this should be ashamed of themselves. These people fed, clothed and raised their families only to be left cold and alone in old age. It’s too big a number to be accounted for by childless adults. You’re a pathetic individual if you let your mother or father live like this.
Indeed But there are childless elderly as well and this state owes them a lot better than this. Instead they cut their heating allowances.
Some times the very elderly have elderly children , struggling with the same issues….
Decent
Honest
Hardworking
Loyal
Irish People
Of Character
Being Ignored and Cast Out by our Bought Out Pasty Faced ”Puppet” Plastic Politicians.
WE SHOULD BE BURNING BOND HOLDERS TO KEEP THESE WONDERFUL PEOPLE WARM!!!
breaks my heart to read this.again the top dogs remain untouched.the elderly in this country saw very little of the Celtic tiger and have spent most their lives struggling to make ends meet through hard graft.they don’t deserve this regardless of whether they have children or not to take care of them.its a crying sham.hopefully community spirit will keep the elderly warm and alive
I work with Alzheimers, I have a.client who is 82 and her Husband who is her main Carer is 85,they have no children, they r married for 59 years, they live in a mass concrete house, I wheel her into her into the warmest part of the house and her husband sleeps in a damp mouldy room. The government have many an eldery death this Christmas on their hands you
I didn’t want to thumbs up your comment because I can’t “like” the situation you describe, although I am glad that this couple have you to care for them. You are right. Our governments (this one and the last) should hold their heads in shame.
I am of the same opinion Shanti Om , I couldn’t give it a thumb either way as Caroline you and people like you are fantastic to be looking after this couple . It is appalling to think that at 85 and 82 this couple are living in these circumstances . I feel a sense of shame that more is not done for our elderly …
to finish my comment you will have a lot of inquests Enda bosco cheeks Kenny
where do you live Frank? Because YES old Ireland still lives
I was just making the point that if this website wants to portray itself as a quality news outfit they should shy away from looking at a report then picking out something which they feel will cause the most upset by using the most emotive language available.
To Geoffreypot belly. That has be one of the most emotive,passionate,heartfelt comment i have seen on the journal. Hats off to you sifted.
Truly disgusting. What has this country come to. Older people have worked hard all their lives and deserve some comfort in their final years. we as a nation owe them more than this. Its simply not good enough.
Explain as I can’t understand maybe not so bright but how can people who claim to represent us as a people call to every house no matter how rural to get the precious no “1″ vote not notice these people are cold and hungry, how can one not see these things, elderly people respect their politicians and maybe when they called gave them their last bite!! God almighty what is wrong with people, we need go check our neighbours make sure they are ok, these people created our country, they worked really hard and unfortunately they will be known as the forgotton and I hope we can live with ourselves this country needs to remember where we came from!!
That’s it as I said in my post above 30 mins a day I used to call over to my neighbour see if she needed anything take her if she wished or pick up what she needed sit and have a cup of tea chat to her laugh about old time and sometimes she would even cry but mostly she laughed and she loved to see me coming up her driveway and she would chat about my children with me and she helped me too with worries about the lads she would tell me what she did when hers were young and when she passed 2 months ago I was away and I came home the day of her funeral and I miss her so much but I do have great memories of our time together and my boys ALWAY cut her grass for her and they ALWAY called in and they would talk about school and then collage and girlfriends she was only to happy to have the young visit we always made a cup of tea and have the chat with a biscuit
Miss you May x x but I treasure the times we spent together and what laughs we shared
Bernadette, I take it back. Geoffrey’s first post was not the best i have read on the Journal, Yours was.
Hear hear. Best post Bernadette. You were back there talking to her for a few moments. Know the feeling. X little moments.
Not enough space to put the clothing part in the headline?
When I first read this I thought that is disgraceful half of older people in the country will be unable to afford food this Christmas.
Then I thought hold on a sec half surely that’s too high.
My issue is that yes half of older people may not be able to afford everything they want but if this news website wishes to be taken seriously they should stay away from the emotive sensationalist headlines or otherwise it might as well turn itself into the Sun or the Mirror or some other tabloid rag.
Does it matter what the real total is, whether a quarter is more realistic or a half.
The real point is that its a fact that people will choose warmth over food.
Its not sensationalist, its pure sad reality.
Dont be pedantic, go back to your original thought.
You’re a very clever for a pig ;)
Thanks Reada, I know Im an Oink but can I have a job Health please when youre a TD? Im happy to do it for a small wage? Id happily trot into work in great stile ;)
Some people forget in the mad rush to get headlines about bondholders, mortgages, jobs etc. that most elderly people were robbed blind by the banks that our money is bailing out. Whatever few bob they had saved during their working lives and thought was safe was squandered by these shysters who have been paid large pensions and bonuses they weren’t entitled to along with E11,000 watches to honour their great deeds.
A society that neglects and f**ks over the elderly is a disgrace and there is no better reason to change it with our votes. It’s us next…
Frank that’s patronizing crap. Of course the journal will spin a story as they see fit and do you think that us humble idiots in the comment section are suckers for a wind-up ploy?
The neglect of our elderly citizens is a disgrace and if it was publicized by a dead sheep lying at the side of a ditch I would still feel the same so quit trying to put this issue on the level of some circus clown warming up the audience for the next big act.
sir!
That was about Geoffrey’s first post. Not the last nonsense he was on about.
Why not have their relatives take care of it?
Or if they’ve no relatives and obviously can’t live alone, why not provide them with a place, I don’t want to call it a home, but somewhere single old folk can go and be safe warm and be able to socialise?
The rent of their house could help pay for this if they own one.
Sometimes Ado a home is not an option. Why should they have to forgo their independance. The have every right to live their lives anyway the choose. Is it because they are old that they need to go into a home? They have a right to live in their own home if health and well-being allows. Shame on this government and the last bunch. They are the ones whom have put the older community and other vunerable people in this situation.
@ Aydo
For those people who have no relatives around, Id like to think its your ignorance or lack of thought which makes you write such things.
I have looked many elderly people in hospital and they want to go home, home being the place where they have memories, belongings etc. These are essential to wellbeing and recovery, or even just sustaining life.
Some people are happy or prepared to go into an insitute or ‘Home’ where they can be looked after and kept warm, the majority are not.
Yes they do get very cold and deserve better than they are dealt and its appalling how they are treated…expendible.
To be quite frank with you, I think its more a less an unwritten word from the top, that over a certain age, well it would be very convenient if these people just disappeared…disgusting.
It might seem a great solution to you and in theory of course its perfect, but the reality is that when many people are taken away from their own environment, they just fade away, lose their mental capacity and die.
Personally Im so saddened that this is the way the country treats people who built the place, who kept it going through tough times and paid in every sense.
You and I will be the same one day, by then the cut off time might be 60.
Have compassion and greater insight.
1. What if their relatives are feeling the squeeze too, what’s to say they can afford it?
2. If an elderly person wishes to stay in the home that they worked for, spent their lives in and feel comfortable in – why shouldn’t they stay there? If they’re entitled to anything it’s that.
3. There are assisted living communities, usually attached to a nursing home with personal alarms so that a carer or nurse can get to you if needs be. But they’re pretty rare, I’ve seen a few and they’re great, but they’re not an option for many.
4. As for renting out their old home, the (not so) fair deal scheme for nursing care takes a share in the property toward the cost of care as it is. In these instances, as far as I know, renting the property out is not permitted.
Well said jeffrey. I think with aydo it its possibly the inexperience of youth…I will give him the benefit of the doubt.
A lot if old folk do not have family some of them never married or ones who have family may have immigrated years ago I do not know but either way it is still all our duty to see they are ok my neighbour who past away in October had 4 children in her day her husband passed about 20ish years ago and 3 of her “children” passed in the last couple of years she was left with 1 and he and his wife did ALL THEY COULD FOR HER she passed peacefully T.G. At the ripe old age of 94 but even though she had a lit if sadness she was a very lucky lady she was well looked after there are people suffering big time it just takes 30mins aday to drop in on our neighbour and check out without taking away their dignity which I might add they treasure their dignity and independence but make friends with them and it is amazing what we learn from chatting with them please knock on that door I did and I am glad a cuupa tea today is a friend forever
Aydo, I hope you have somebody to take care of you if you ever find yourself in such a situation. I can’t believe the heartlessness of your comment. Maybe you’re just ignorant of what its like for older people living on their own, I certainly hope so, otherwise you are a cold, cold person.
Aydo.
I am so disappointed with your comment ” Why not have their relatives take care of it?” Elderly people are just that PEOPLE!. They have lived and experienced life and have a lot to offer . Why not try and befriend and elderly person . It might surprise you just what they have to say ….They are ewntitled to live their lives with dignity in their own home if that is what they want . Look around you say hello to an old man / woman you will be surprised ,they used to be young and still have opinions.
Thank you Leslie Alan Rock I appreciate your comment but it is very true we learn so much from our elderly but we also can leave them with something too and this is something you cannot buy . And remember please God we are all tomorrows elderly please look after them with kindest and love HAPPY CHRISTMAS ALL
Thank you too Reada and yes it was said with true passion
Forgo??
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