Post on 15-Jun-2020
transcript
Supporting older people experiencing energy povertyALONE CEO Seán Moynihan
Before After
The big picture
5%(31,900)
9.7%(63,040)
57.8%(836,000)
Over 50s have problematic
housing conditions(TILDA 2016)
Households with a person over 65 have
difficulty keeping their home warm
(HAPAI 2019)
Over 65s experience enforced deprivation
(CSO SILC)
26%
Over 50s in rural areas do not have
central heating(TILDA 2016)
Population of over 65s
Heating and health
• Link to emergency respiratory admissions
• Can exacerbate symptoms of conditions like arthritis and rheumatism
• Excess Winter Deaths
Challenges to overcoming fuel poverty among older people
• Fuel poverty is a hidden issue
• Lack of awareness of entitlements
• Finances
• Grant accessibility and consistency
Referral to ALONE
Support Coordinator
Housing Adaptations
Decluttering
Tenancy Sustainment
Friendship & Social Contact
Telephone Befriending
Social Prescribing
Benefits
Entitlements
E-health devicesSmart home sensorsWell-being apps
Emergency response devices
Link to primary careFriendship & Social
Contact
Local mental health services
Budgeting services Medication reminders
Home security
Supporting Discharges
Preventing Re-admission
Support to age at home
Preventing unnecessary long-term care admissions
What we do
Steps to support older people experiencing fuel poverty
• Support and information
• Fuel allowance
• The Housing Aid for Older People grants
• The SEAI grants: including the insulation grant, the heating controls grant, the heat pump system grant
• Technology
Technology enabling energy and temperature monitoring
Motion & temperature Energy & appliance usage Alexa as a first responder
• Earlier response to cold temperature alerts
• Monitoring of energy usage• Alexa escalating the
response to a staff member if no temperature change
“We received a low temperature alert for one of the people we support. It was a bedroom of 9 degrees. Our staff contacted the person to make them aware of the temperature and to notify them of the dangers of sleeping in such a low temperature.”- ALONE Technology Engagement officer
Warning: 9⁰
What we need to do
• Ensure older people are aware of the dangers of low temperatures and fuel poverty
• Better signpost the supports that are available
• Enable ease of access and consistency of supports across the country
• Ensure awareness of services like ALONE where there are difficulties in accessing the appropriate supports
• Use new technologies and find innovative solutions
• Encourage older people to reach out and ask for help when it’s needed.