Evidence of need
An ageing population
- The population aged 65 and over is projected to increase by 65.1 per cent to 491,700 people from mid-2016 to mid-2041
- The population aged 85 and over is projected to increase by 127.2 per cent to reach 82,800 people over the same period.
- Rates of disability increase dramatically for those aged 85 and over (by 67 percent) compared to 5 per cent among young adults.
- People aged 65 and over living alone will represent 86.6 percent of the projected increase in people living alone between 2012 and 2037 (36,900 people).
- A need for an additional 4,050 care packages was projected from 2017–2020 (15 percent increase) and an additional 20,101 care packages by 2037 (68 percent increase).

Delayed discharge from hospital
- Delayed discharge in Northern Ireland is costing £1.5 million a month to keep people in hospital who could be discharged if a suitable care package was in place. Many of these people are aged 65+.
Short-break support for carers
- Health trust provision of shortbreak support in Northern Ireland was almost 1 million hours in each quarter in 2015/16 but more than half of this was in an institutional setting rather than community based.
Dementia care
- The number of people living with dementia in Northern Ireland is projected to increase to 60,000 by 2051.
- Health and social care expenditure for people with dementia in Northern Ireland was projected to double from 2011 to 2031.
Community-based models (SCIE Highlights No 6)
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