The Government has been accused of only paying lip-service to their promise to help the elderly stay in their own homes, as they age.

A new report claims half of all nursing home residents could still be living at home, if they were given the right support.

The research by social workers, Age Action and the Alzheimer Society claims the home care system here is disorganised, fragmented and underfunded. It shows that acute hospitals and nursing homes are being prioritised over community care, at around three times the cost.

The most commonly quoted supports to allow them to stay at home were night-time care and intensive home care packages, according to social workers who were surveyed for the report.

John Brennan from the Irish Association of Social Workers said family carers needed to be given more help.

He said: “Saying people will be supported to live at home with dignity is largely lip service. The State relies hugely on family carers.

“We had an instance of two sisters of 84 and 82 living together. The 82-year-old was looking after the 84-year-old and they weren’t getting a service because there was a family carer (the 82-year-old).”

The report also finds the HSE is spending less on home support services now than in 2008, despite an increase in the number of people with complex conditions including dementia.

Justin Moran from Age Action said the report painted a picture of a system in crisis.

“We know community care is grossly underfunded and that older people want to stay at home as long as possible.

“Many of these people could be at home – where they want to be, where their families want them to be and where government policy says they should be but we are not providing the supports they need.”