Dungarvan is a harbour town in west Waterford. The 2022 census counted 10,081 people there, 1,816 of them (18.0%) aged 65 or over. County Waterford is home to 21,032 residents aged 65+, 16.5% of its people. That is 21.1% more than in 2016. The census counts 5,257 people aged 65 or over living alone in County Waterford, which is 26.5% of that age group in private households. The census records 565 unpaid carers in the town, 5.6% of the population, and 2,561 people (25.4%) with a disability.
The HSE places the town in HSE Dublin and South East and the Waterford, Wexford Integrated Health Area. Hours for HSE-funded clients are managed by the HSE Home Support Office in Waterford at Waterford Residential Care Centre, Johns Hill X91 XE86, telephone 051 848 936. When a client needs a doctor overnight, the co-op to call is Caredoc. Our research lists 7 home care provider offices in County Waterford, run by 7 providers. Names on the county list include Dovida, Bluebird Care, Right at Home, Irish Home Care and Clannad Care. Out of season, an older client on a quiet road can go a long time without a visitor, and a friendly voice on the phone matters.
The HSE lists University Hospital Waterford as the acute hospital for the area. For specialist palliative support, the local route is Waterford Hospice Movement (South East Palliative Care Centre) and Waterford Community Specialist Palliative Care Team. The practical test for an agency on the coast is the same as anywhere: when the office shuts, who answers? Where the nearest acute hospital is a long drive, early warning of a bad night matters, and the morning summary helps. The Gaeltacht areas of County Waterford (Rinn Ó gCuanach) are worth a mention: if your clients there speak Irish, raise it with us at the demo.