"The sad silent emigration of the elderly" is how he describes it.
Dr Jerry Cowley, general practitioner in the Co Mayo village of Mulrany, has made no secret of his reservations about institutional care for senior citizens. Now he is about to receive public acknowledgement for his many community efforts when he is given the title of Mayo Person of the Year later this month.
The energetic doctor is due to receive the award for his work in providing a range of community care facilities in his home village, and for leading the campaign to secure an orthopaedic unit in Mayo General Hospital.
Dr Cowley believes health and environment are inextricably linked, and that independence is the key to wellbeing at an advanced age. In Denmark, for example, there has been a state policy to locate old people within housing estates with young families, where they can play a role in childcare and can be near help if necessary.
The GP's commitment to sheltered housing led to the establishment of the Mulrany Day Care Centre in 1984 with 16 houses. Latterly, the St Brendan's Unit, comprising 15 double rooms, was set up to provide high-support accommodation to the elderly and people with handicap. It was opened last month by the President, Mrs McAleese.
He believes it should be a model for care of both groups, and points to the statistics. The number of elderly people is rising, and the proportion globally is expected to double by 2030.
Some 14,000 people now live alone in the Western Health Board area, compared to 11,000 five years ago.
Dr Cowley has also been an ardent campaigner for an orthopaedic unit at Mayo General Hospital, and made it a by-election issue when he decided to run himself several years ago.
"It is criminal to have to witness old people with broken limbs having to travel from Mayo to Galway or further, only to be put on a waiting list for years," he says. "People in Dublin don't seem to be able to appreciate distances on this island. The journey from Belmullet to Galway is a round trip of 240 miles - similar to a patient coming from Dublin to Galway."
Late last month, the Minister for Health, Mr Cowen, confirmed that an orthopaedic unit was included in phase two development plans for Mayo General Hospital. The GP is delighted, but doesn't expect to be included in any photographs on opening day.
The construction will provide almost 100 extra beds in the 226-bed institution.
Dr Cowley has a host of other projects to his credit, including an amenity centre, community laundry, and the Mulrany Industrial Development Trust.
He is chair of the Mayo Federation of Water Group Schemes, and is also heavily involved in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service campaign to provide helicopter ambulances in rural areas.
The treatment of serious injuries could be greatly assisted by rapid transport during the "golden hour" after a road accident, if such a helicopter service existed, his campaign says.
It points out that Greece received EU funding for air ambulances to and from its islands. The issue is being examined by an expert group within the Department of Health, but there is some impatience with the delay in coming to a decision.