Home Instead, the biggest provider in the State of homecare services for the elderly, is recruiting another 1,000 care workers. The company has also warned that the number of workers in the industry needs to rise by 60 per cent over the next 20 years to keep pace with the needs of an ageing population.
Home Instead, a franchise operation that has its roots in a US group, already employs more than 4,000 workers here from its network of 25 Irish offices, providing care to a client base of more than 7,000 people. It previously announced a recruitment drive last year for another 1,000 care workers.
Shortage looming
The company’s staff provide non-medical services such as “companionship, meal preparation, light housework, personal care and dementia care”. The Irish franchise is owned by Swiss-based company Home Instead Holding AG.
"The number of elder care workers will need to increase by 60 per cent by 2040 to maintain the current ratio of caregivers to older people," said Shane Jennings, the company's chief operating officer in Ireland.
“The number of people over the age of 65 in Ireland is expected to reach 1.4 million by 2040, with even greater growth expected in the population aged 80 and over. This change has the potential for the biggest impact on health services.”
Mr Jennings said that as life expectancy increases in Ireland, so does the need for “quality homecare – and quality homecarers. The new jobs we are creating will help us to build our caregiving workforce of the future.”
