The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland has called for health and social care services affecting older people to be protected and improved following threats to the health budget.
"The number of older people in Northern Ireland is set to increase by approximately 87% in the next fifty years, with more and more people living longer and healthier lives. It is essential that government is committed and ready to meet the needs of an ageing population, and that planning and budgeting are in place to ensure that today's and tomorrow's older people can be certain that health and social care services are protected.
"Health and social care, including homecare packages, are critical in enabling older people to maintain independence and stay in their homes longer.
"Any suggestion that there may be cuts to services and supports for older people, including increased waiting lists and charging for homecare packages, is very concerning. If services are reduced, it will impact on the everyday lives of thousands of older people.
"Cutting homecare and health services to older people flies in the face of the plan to provide more care in the community under 'Transforming Your Care.' Homecare packages and other health services are essential if older people are to be supported to live longer in their own homes.
"Older people must be able to have confidence that government will plan and provide the health and social care services that they need, today and in the future.
"I am calling for the Executive to commit to protecting the services and support that older people in Northern Ireland need and depend on."
The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland has called for health and social care services affecting older people to be protected and improved following threats to the health budget.
"The number of older people in Northern Ireland is set to increase by approximately 87% in the next fifty years, with more and more people living longer and healthier lives. It is essential that government is committed and ready to meet the needs of an ageing population, and that planning and budgeting are in place to ensure that today's and tomorrow's older people can be certain that health and social care services are protected.
"Health and social care, including homecare packages, are critical in enabling older people to maintain independence and stay in their homes longer.
"Any suggestion that there may be cuts to services and supports for older people, including increased waiting lists and charging for homecare packages, is very concerning. If services are reduced, it will impact on the everyday lives of thousands of older people.
"Cutting homecare and health services to older people flies in the face of the plan to provide more care in the community under 'Transforming Your Care.' Homecare packages and other health services are essential if older people are to be supported to live longer in their own homes.
"Older people must be able to have confidence that government will plan and provide the health and social care services that they need, today and in the future.
"I am calling for the Executive to commit to protecting the services and support that older people in Northern Ireland need and depend on."
