This report presents data collected through a survey of long-stay care units in 2007. The aim of the survey is to provide statistics on the number of beds available for long-term care, how the beds are used and the types of patients who occupy these beds.

The research looks also at results from the 2006 census, Eurostat and European Health For All databases in order to compare the Irish older population with older populations in Europe.

Some interesting general points from the research include:  

• In Ireland the old age dependency ratio has remained relatively constant for many decades however; it is now due to increase from 16.8 percent in 2011 to 36.3 percent in 204
• Only 7.2 percent of men compared to 12.7 percent of women are in the 85 years and older age group in long stay care
• Approximately two-thirds (66.1%) of patients in long stay and limited stay beds are female
• The majority of patients are in the maximum dependency category, which means they require a high degree of nursing care and assistance
• The most patient medical status was related to chronic physical illness followed by dementia
• Nearly three-quarters of patients (71.6%) were discharged back into the community
• Roughly four-fifths of patients (83.5%) resided for less than three months.