It shows that acute hospitals and nursing homes are being prioritised over community care, at around three times the cost.
The research has been carried out with the Irish Association of Social Workers, Age Action, and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
It also finds the HSE is spending less on home support services now, than in 2008, despite an increase in the number of people with complex conditions like dementia.
Justin Moran from Age Action says the report paints a picture of a system in crisis.
