Approximately 6% of the population of people aged 65
years and older in Ireland are receiving residential care
(McGill 2010, CSO 2012b). The probability of requiring
nursing home care rises exponentially with age. Of those
requiring long-term care, approximately 70% are aged 80
years and older (Department of Health 2010a). The
majority of older people in residential care are in the
private nursing home sector (63%) with approximately
9% in the voluntary home sector and 28% cared for in
Health Service Executive (HSE) extended care units or
welfare homes.