Sue Ryder Homes provides sheltered accommodation for those who need a hand to cope alone

The Sue Ryder Homes in Ireland provide sheltered accommodation for older people who feel they can no longer cope alone but are still sufficiently independent to care for themselves in every way.

The homes are part-funded by the charitable Sue Ryder Foundation, with residents paying an agreed monthly "rent" that suits their personal financial means.

The foundation currently operates several housing schemes around the State, including one on the outskirts of Dublin in the picturesque seaside village of Dalkey.

The Carrig na Greine "rock of the sun") sheltered housing scheme is currently home to 35 residents who live in 32 individual bungalow-type houses.

The scheme includes both one- and two-bedroom houses, with current residents including at least one couple who live together.

Each house is equipped with standard furnishings such as cookers and fridges but the remainder of the decoration is left entirely to the taste of its resident.

Meals are provided in a central area, and are designed to act as social occasions for the scheme's residents, as well as saving them the effort of cooking individually.

A supervisor is always on site to ensure everything runs smoothly and to keep an eye on residents who are feeling unwell or need extra help for any reason. A nurse attends Carrig na Greine twice every week.

No strict age limits apply to the scheme, with the current age profile of residents ranging between the mid-50s and early 90s.

All residents are completely mobile and are free to come and go for shopping or other reasons as and when they please. Some residents have their own cars, reflecting the scheme's emphasis on independent living.

All applications to live in Carrig na Greine are assessed by a committee, which takes account of individual financial circumstances and needs.

No religious criteria apply, despite the scheme's location on a site formerly owned by Loreto nuns.