Providing Care to Senior Citizens: A Critical Evaluation of the Nursing Home Support Scheme in the Republic of Ireland | Desklib
Added on 2022-11-18
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Running head: SOCIAL STUDIES
Social Studies
Name of Student:
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Author Note:
Social Studies
Name of Student:
Name of University:
Author Note:
SOCIAL STUDIES1
Introduction
In a world where fast-paced living and the need to earn more is the norm, it becomes
more or less impossible to devote any amount of meaningful time with one’s family. It has
several consequences, most of which harm the elderly (Ronald and Alexy 2017). Ageing
people depend a lot upon social relationships and community-level engagements to live a
happy old-age (Yaka et al. 2014). However, with the rapid breakdown of family structures
which reflect the fast-paced nature of modern civilisation, it is the elderly who are often left
behind and become one of the most vulnerable sections of the population within the dynamics
of any given society (Inouye, Werstendorp and Sacazynski 2014).
Fortunately, developed nations like the Republic of Ireland have provided many
benefits and aids to its superannuated populace by the use of legislation and government-
sponsored support (Harper 2014). Although progressive in many counts, such policies may
not live up to the expectations of those who frame them and those for whom such policies
come into being. Therefore, it is essential that these policies are subject to critical evaluation
and their impacts examined periodically. Such a practice enables these policies to become
efficient and capable of serving its target recipients and beneficiaries holistically.
This essay aims to analyse the existing healthcare and caregiving structures which are
available for senior citizens, assess these structures and determine the magnitude of the
impact they have had in the lives of older adults and how the existing structures could be
improved and updated to suit modern conditions with regards to giving care to the elderly and
aged.
Discussion
As noted, the elderly happen to constitute one of the vulnerable sections of the
population for any society. As a rule, they rely on dependence and social support owing to
Introduction
In a world where fast-paced living and the need to earn more is the norm, it becomes
more or less impossible to devote any amount of meaningful time with one’s family. It has
several consequences, most of which harm the elderly (Ronald and Alexy 2017). Ageing
people depend a lot upon social relationships and community-level engagements to live a
happy old-age (Yaka et al. 2014). However, with the rapid breakdown of family structures
which reflect the fast-paced nature of modern civilisation, it is the elderly who are often left
behind and become one of the most vulnerable sections of the population within the dynamics
of any given society (Inouye, Werstendorp and Sacazynski 2014).
Fortunately, developed nations like the Republic of Ireland have provided many
benefits and aids to its superannuated populace by the use of legislation and government-
sponsored support (Harper 2014). Although progressive in many counts, such policies may
not live up to the expectations of those who frame them and those for whom such policies
come into being. Therefore, it is essential that these policies are subject to critical evaluation
and their impacts examined periodically. Such a practice enables these policies to become
efficient and capable of serving its target recipients and beneficiaries holistically.
This essay aims to analyse the existing healthcare and caregiving structures which are
available for senior citizens, assess these structures and determine the magnitude of the
impact they have had in the lives of older adults and how the existing structures could be
improved and updated to suit modern conditions with regards to giving care to the elderly and
aged.
Discussion
As noted, the elderly happen to constitute one of the vulnerable sections of the
population for any society. As a rule, they rely on dependence and social support owing to
SOCIAL STUDIES2
their relatively declining health and intellectual faculties (Trombetti et al. 2016). Hence, this
requires the active participation of the family and of the broader community in looking after
its ageing members (Kilkey and Merla 2014). However, various socio-economic factors have
led to the emergence of the nuclear family as a material factor that severely affects the
provision of care and attention which senior citizens require (Furstenburg 2014). As a result,
there happens to be a perception of helplessness and vulnerability perceived by ageing
individuals thanks to the emergence of a lifestyle that actively neglects the process of
bonding between family members. Consequently, older people feel left-out, alienated and
abandoned.
In talking about the issues faced by ageing individuals, it includes the deterioration of
their physical health, and they become susceptible to a vast number of diseases and physical
conditions, some of which could be potentially life-threatening. On the other hand, there is
also the degradation of a person’s intellectual prowess with the onset of old-age, which
further mandates caregiving and attention towards the well being of superannuated
individuals. Unfortunately, as mentioned in the above paragraph, an unavoidable lifestyle
change is actively preventing the administering of care to older adults by their respective
families, which creates a serious issue that is subject to active intervention. Fortunately, the
government of the Republic of Ireland has instituted schemes and policies to address these
concerns. A closer look at these policies is therefore necessary.
In general, the Republic of Ireland has a plethora of social services that it has
instituted throughout the years, and their implementation is usually incumbent on the
demographics and political economy of the country during different periods. Nonetheless,
almost half of all government spending in Ireland concerns itself with the institution,
implementation and maintenance of social services. Divided into three tiers, in the form of
the statutory, voluntary and private services, it provides social services to all Irish citizens
their relatively declining health and intellectual faculties (Trombetti et al. 2016). Hence, this
requires the active participation of the family and of the broader community in looking after
its ageing members (Kilkey and Merla 2014). However, various socio-economic factors have
led to the emergence of the nuclear family as a material factor that severely affects the
provision of care and attention which senior citizens require (Furstenburg 2014). As a result,
there happens to be a perception of helplessness and vulnerability perceived by ageing
individuals thanks to the emergence of a lifestyle that actively neglects the process of
bonding between family members. Consequently, older people feel left-out, alienated and
abandoned.
In talking about the issues faced by ageing individuals, it includes the deterioration of
their physical health, and they become susceptible to a vast number of diseases and physical
conditions, some of which could be potentially life-threatening. On the other hand, there is
also the degradation of a person’s intellectual prowess with the onset of old-age, which
further mandates caregiving and attention towards the well being of superannuated
individuals. Unfortunately, as mentioned in the above paragraph, an unavoidable lifestyle
change is actively preventing the administering of care to older adults by their respective
families, which creates a serious issue that is subject to active intervention. Fortunately, the
government of the Republic of Ireland has instituted schemes and policies to address these
concerns. A closer look at these policies is therefore necessary.
In general, the Republic of Ireland has a plethora of social services that it has
instituted throughout the years, and their implementation is usually incumbent on the
demographics and political economy of the country during different periods. Nonetheless,
almost half of all government spending in Ireland concerns itself with the institution,
implementation and maintenance of social services. Divided into three tiers, in the form of
the statutory, voluntary and private services, it provides social services to all Irish citizens
SOCIAL STUDIES3
regardless of age or sex. A brief look at the services provided to older adults is therefore
crucial to understand the government’s response in addressing the problems that ageing
individuals tend to face.
The crux of providing social services to superannuated individuals is to provide them
with a higher quality of life while simultaneously catering to their physical and mental well-
being. The implementation of these policies aims at providing enabling and supportive
environments for older adults which mitigates the neglect and abuse that they may face in the
absence of such services. These social services seek to augment the role of the family at a
time when the family has ceased to be the only available group of caregivers for the elderly.
To this end, the government of Ireland has persued the active implementation of
policies and services that aid in the material and emotional well-being of older people. These
services can often range from providing financial assistance to individuals in providing
medical and nursing interventions to ageing individuals in order to provide better health
outcomes and ensure a healthy ageing process for all older adults.
There are a few social policies for the elderly through which it is possible to show the
degree with which the government has committed its resources towards promoting a better
quality of life among older adults. One such scheme is the Nursing Home Support Scheme
(NHSS). Also known as the “Fair Deal”, it provides financial assistance to those who require
long-term nursing home care. The administration of this scheme is under the oversight of the
Health Services Executive. Under the provisions of this scheme, the concerned individual
pays a nominal contribution to cover the cost of their care, while the Irish State pays the
balance. Under the three tired nature of social services as implemented by the Irish
government, this scheme is available in approved private nursing homes, voluntary nursing
regardless of age or sex. A brief look at the services provided to older adults is therefore
crucial to understand the government’s response in addressing the problems that ageing
individuals tend to face.
The crux of providing social services to superannuated individuals is to provide them
with a higher quality of life while simultaneously catering to their physical and mental well-
being. The implementation of these policies aims at providing enabling and supportive
environments for older adults which mitigates the neglect and abuse that they may face in the
absence of such services. These social services seek to augment the role of the family at a
time when the family has ceased to be the only available group of caregivers for the elderly.
To this end, the government of Ireland has persued the active implementation of
policies and services that aid in the material and emotional well-being of older people. These
services can often range from providing financial assistance to individuals in providing
medical and nursing interventions to ageing individuals in order to provide better health
outcomes and ensure a healthy ageing process for all older adults.
There are a few social policies for the elderly through which it is possible to show the
degree with which the government has committed its resources towards promoting a better
quality of life among older adults. One such scheme is the Nursing Home Support Scheme
(NHSS). Also known as the “Fair Deal”, it provides financial assistance to those who require
long-term nursing home care. The administration of this scheme is under the oversight of the
Health Services Executive. Under the provisions of this scheme, the concerned individual
pays a nominal contribution to cover the cost of their care, while the Irish State pays the
balance. Under the three tired nature of social services as implemented by the Irish
government, this scheme is available in approved private nursing homes, voluntary nursing
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