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.