Caring at Home: The Hidden Struggle During Tough Times

When money is tight, who gets left behind? This question is especially important when it comes to home care. Many older adults need help at home, but getting that help can be expensive and hard to find. This problem gets worse when the economy is struggling, and governments have less money to spend. Two countries, England and Ireland, faced this issue during the Great Recession. A study looked at adults over 50 in both places to see who wasn't getting the home care they needed. The results were surprising. In England, about 38% of people reported not getting the care they needed. In Ireland, that number was much higher, at 66. 1%.You might think that wealthier people would have an easier time getting care. But that wasn't the case here. Having more money didn't always mean getting the help you need. The study also found some differences between the two countries. In Ireland, people with physical limitations were more likely to go without care. In England, people with poorer cognitive function were actually less likely to have unmet needs. This study shows how important it is to understand how public funding affects home care, especially during economic downturns. It also highlights the need for better data sharing between countries. By learning from each other, we can make better policies to help those who need it most.