Older adults fear losing their independence and moving into a nursing home more than death, according to recent research carried out in the US by marketing group Clarity. In fact, while only 3% of older people said they feared death most, 26% claimed that losing their independence was their biggest fear and 89% said they would like to remain at home.

“Independent living, in the sense of remaining at home, is certainly the preferred option of most older people and, indeed, has been the mantra of State policy since the 1960s,” says John Heuston of the National Council on Aging and Older People (NCAOP).

“People who were young in the 1960s are now entering retirement age. They are better educated than previous generations. They are well-read, and more conscious of fitness and nutrition, so there has certainly been a shift in attitudes. Of course, living at home independently is dependent on good health and other factors, and there will always be a need for nursing-home care but, in general, most people would prefer to live at home if they had the choice and circumstances,” he adds.

While desiring to live independently is all very well, getting the right support is crucial. As it costs the Government a lot less to keep older people in their own home than providing institutional care, the focus is on helping older people achieve and sustain independent living.

One group working in this field is the TRIL Centre, a collaborative project combining staff from Intel and researchers from Irish universities and hospitals. Their mission is to look at the real-life needs of older people at home and come up with technology solutions to improve the quality of life at home and reduce the burden on the healthcare system. With the right kind of technology, they hope to be able to prevent falls, cuts, burns and other common accidents that are barriers to independent living. Other areas they are looking at include personal hygiene, cooking, nutrition, memory loss and social connection, all of which make or break successful independence.

“Sometimes it’s a matter of making the right changes to the home, like choosing taps that are easy to turn, accessible bathrooms, chair-lifts, walking aids and other equipment that make a big difference, and also having some support either from family and friends or community services,” says Heuston.

Another option, although still very new on the Irish scene, is the retirement village.

“It’s very popular in America but is beginning to happen here,” says Denise O’Brien, a retirement home consultant. She works in various retirement villages nationwide helping to match clients with the right centre.

“Weekly rent is around €300, which includes all meals, laundry and cleaning,” says O’Brien, adding that some residents prefer to cook for themselves and only use the nursing home as a drop-in centre.

Whether it’s a cottage in Clare or a terrace in Tipperary, it seems that home is where the heart is for this generation of older adults.