The Department of Housing has just released the 2020 figures of grants allocated under the Housing Adaptation Grant scheme for older people. The grant scheme which has been running since 2008 and has helped ‘0000s each year adapt the home for safer independent living and has helped Irish seniors with areas such as installation of stairlifts, modification of bathrooms and installation of grab rails to enable them age safely and comfortably at home
According to comparison analysis carried out by www.ageinginplace.ie the 2020 spend on the grant schemes was €45.3 Million which is €10.1 million less than the spend in 2019. In terms of the grants awarded in 2020, the number dropped to 8137 grants issued, versus 10,023 in 2019. This represents a drop of approximately 18% in both spend and volume of grant awards.
The numbers published on the Department of Housing website acknowledge that “in 2020 the majority of Local Authorities were unable to achieve full drawdown of their allocations due to the impact of COVID-19, with Government restrictions curtailing the activities of technical staff, occupational therapist resources and the availability of construction resources.”
According to ageinginplace.ie, while the COVID crisis has clearly affected the Housing Adaptation scheme in 2020 it is also leading to a growing trend of Irish senior adults evaluating how and where they age in future. According to Austen Ahern from ageinginplace.ie “The COVID issues experienced in both the private and public nursing home sector is leading many people to evaluate how and where they want to live in old age “.
The home adaptation grant scheme is likely to become a major conduit to people adapting the home for safer independent senior living at it is expected that grants that promote the concept of ageing in place will see even greater demand after COVID 19.
The Department of Housing has confirmed that the 2020 underspends will be added to the 2021 budget meaning that Irish seniors can consider the options of ageing at home. The home adaptation grant is means tested and you can check your eligibility here.
About ageinginplace.ie: Ageing in place is a new digital platform that aims to provide clear and accurate information about the products, services and financial supports that are available to enable barrier free and independent living in your own home.
The portal is designed to give you easy access to all the information you need in one place to enable you to evaluate your options, check your eligibility for grant supports and should you wish contact contractors in your local area.
Please contact ageinginplace.ie on 1800 844 022 for further information. www.ageinginplace.ie
All data is Copyright © ageinginplace.ie
