Latest news with #AgeFriendlyIreland
Irish Independent
13-08-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Firefighters to visit homes of elderly in Sligo to give safety advice
Firefighters will be visiting the homes of the elderly to give advice on how to keep safe under a new initiative between Sligo County Council and Age Friendly Ireland. The two bodies have joined forces to improve the safety and well-being of older residents in the county. A joint Protocol of Cooperation has been officially signed at County Buildings, Riverside, by Martin Lydon, Chief Executive, Sligo County Council and Eimear McCormack, Acting National Manager Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme, Age Friendly Ireland. The new partnership will see firefighters from the four fire stations in County Sligo conducting free home fire safety checks for older people, referred to them by the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme. The Home Fire Safety Check will involve two firefighters from the local Fire Brigade arranging to visit the person, who shall be accompanied by a friend/neighbour, in their home. The meeting involves a conversation regarding escape plans, the installation of a free smoke alarm within the home, the identification of any potential fire risks within the home to help the older person understand potentially fire hazardous situations within the home. Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Dónal Gilroy: 'This programme is a welcome initiative that will keep older residents of the county safe and living in their homes. Sligo Fire Service provide an outstanding community fire service to the people of this county and this new outreach programme will bring further comfort to older people and their families in County Sligo'. Marian Coakley, Chief Fire Officer said: 'The risks associated with fires in the home increase as we get older, and fire safety checks for older people are therefore a vital part in enabling older people to stay safe in their own home. We are delighted to be involved in this collaborative initiative which will allow us to work in parallel with the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme in protecting older people in their homes.' She noted that both Sligo Fire Service and Age Friendly Ireland recently completed joint training for the Home Fire Safety Checks, ensuring that fire-fighters are equipped to provide valuable assistance to older residents. The success of this initiative in County Sligo could serve as a model for similar partnerships across Ireland. Eimear McCormack, Acting National Manager Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme at Age Friendly Ireland said: 'This project will help to improve the health and safety of Sligo's older people by providing practical advice and assistance to prevent fires. This initiative aligns with the Healthy Age Friendly Homes aims of enabling older people to remain in their own homes and communities with a sense of independence for a long as possible'
Irish Independent
11-08-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Firefighters in Leitrim set to conduct free home fire safety visits for older residents
Leitrim County Council, in partnership with Age Friendly Ireland, has announced a new joint initiative aimed at improving home fire safety for older adults across County Leitrim. This groundbreaking partnership will see firefighters from all five fire stations in County Leitrim conducting free Home Fire Safety Visits for older residents who are referred through the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme. Each visit will be delivered by two uniformed firefighters from the local brigade and will be attended by a friend, neighbour, or support person to ensure the comfort of the resident. During the visit, fire service personnel will provide tailored guidance on fire escape planning, install or test smoke alarms, identify potential fire hazards and offer practical advice and promote awareness of nighttime fire safety routines. The visits last approximately 30 minutes, and older adults are encouraged to have someone present who can help take notes or clarify information. If you feel that you, or someone you know, would benefit from a Home Fire Safety Visit, please contact Leitrim Fire Service on communityfiresafety@ and a member of your local Fire Service will be in touch. On Wednesday, August 6, a Local Protocol of Cooperation was formally signed at The Council Chamber, Áras an Chontae, Co Leitrim. The signatories included Mr. Joseph Gilhooly, Chief Executive of Leitrim County Council, and Ms. Eimear McCormack, Acting National Manager of the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme with Age Friendly Ireland. The Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme aims to support older people to live in their own home with dignity and independence, for as long as possible. A spokesperson for the project said, 'The programme's ambition is to enable everyone to live longer healthier lives by keeping care close to home and expanding the range of health and social care services in the community. "It is about providing a range of alternatives for older people who may otherwise transition into long term residential care prematurely.'
Irish Examiner
27-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Working Life: If you like people, you will like geriatric medicine
'My interest in older people started during my medical training, when I was a SHO (senior house officer). I came across all of these older people with fascinating stories. 'One patient had fought in both world wars. Imagine that. Another was a messenger for James Connolly during the 1916 Rising. She told me they used young girls as messengers as they felt the British army wouldn't shoot them. This woman used to run through the back streets of Dublin, behind the GPO. 'If you like people, I mean really like people, you will like geriatric medicine. When I was younger, I was very taken by Jacques Cousteau and wanted to be a marine biologist. In hindsight, I'm not sure I'd have lasted long. 'Anyone who knows me will be aware of how much I spoke out on behalf of older people during covid. I was subsequently asked to be an Age Friendly ambassador. A starting point for me is the importance of an age-friendly society. You'd imagine it would be a given, but it's not. 'If you look at it from a tech point of view, there's a real danger for older people that what should be enabling is becoming isolating. It's a real bugbear of mine how any software company can get a licence for tech that hasn't been road-tested on older people. 'My dad, Dermot Collins, is a lifelong GAA fan. Yet when he's going to matches now, he's expected to use an electronic ticket wallet. It's complicated. That's an example of tech dis-enabling people. It starts a pattern of isolation. 'Hospitals need to up their game, too, when it comes to older people. They should be designed with the most vulnerable in mind, but they are not. Elderly patients are expected to book outpatient appointments using online systems. On wards, the most private conversations can be overheard. It's appalling. I know our hospitals are in a rush to go paperless, but we need to be sensible about what we want to achieve. 'Monaghan Hospital is doing a good job of trying to make its campus more age-friendly. Physical improvements include parking spaces closer to the entrance, a new access ramp, improved toilet facilities, and universal-design compliant seats. Age Friendly Ireland is an appointed Shared Service of local government. Each local authority has an Age Friendly ambassador
RTÉ News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Calls for more people to join Older People's Councils in Ireland
A convention focusing on the needs of older people has heard calls for more people to join the country's Older People's Councils. Over 200 older people from across Ireland are gathering in Tallaght, Co Dublin for the 2025 Age Friendly Ireland National Older People's Councils (OPCs) Convention. Speaking to RTÉ, Catherine McGuigan, Chief Executive of Age Friendly Ireland said our rapidly aging population requires planning - not just for today's older people, but tomorrows. "We have 31 Older People's Councils across the country, and they represent the diverse and authentic voice of older people," she said explaining that they are seeking new members. "You're in at the ground level, voicing your opinions, stating what your needs are," said Mary McMahon, chairperson of Tipperary Older People's Council. The 31 county-based councils look at ways to make life better for older people, whether inside their homes or outside. Patrick Hyland, chair of Limerick's Older People Council says small things make a big difference. "We have issues in Limerick with parking cars, the green man not been up long enough for people to cross the road, uneven footpaths, bad patios." Mr Hyland said the council advocates for basic respect. "We follow the GAA motto, give respect and get respect." Some of the participants were carrying out an audit today of the walkability of local amenities like Tallaght Stadium. "Walking around literally and pointing out what would be of help to older people," explained Mary Lyons of South Dublin Older People's Council. "One example I can give you is park seats with arms on them, so people can set down and stand up with greater ease." These issues will be brought to South Dublin County Council who are working closely with Mary's group. Moving from family homes to appropriate housing is a key issue for older people. Catherine McGuigan said given the sensitivity, it was important to avoid "ageist" terminology. "We call it right-sizing," she said, adding that the World Health Organization ageism clearly set out how damaging negative language can be. "We use right-sizing, or ageing in place, not downsizing, which denotes something less." Professor Rónán Collins, a geriatric specialist and director of stroke services at Tallaght University Hospital told RTÉ that elder abuse and crime needed more attention. "It saddens me as a geriatrician to see some particularly vicious crimes committed against older people living in isolated areas." He said the law in this area should be strengthened. "Maybe even to make it a special crime with harsher sentencing where older people are attacked in their homes." Professor Collins told the conference that he is not sure that modern communications and technology benefit older people. "Often it appears people are more isolated because of it." he said. "People who design software technologies should be made to road-test them on older people first for literacy and intuitive use." He called on the Government to implement the existing strategies for stroke and dementia. "The Government needs to stop dragging its heels," he said adding that one in four people are affected by dementia or stroke.
RTÉ News
02-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Ballybrophy becomes second 'Age Friendly' train station in Ireland
Ballybrophy train station in Co Laois has become the second train station in the country to be awarded Age Friendly status. The station underwent a comprehensive World Health Organization four-stage process to secure its Age Friendly status. The process included a walkability study, examining station areas and roadways. Accessible toilets, age-friendly car parking spaces and wheelchair accessible spaces are some of the improvements that were made. The initiative was led by Age Friendly Ireland in collaboration with the Laois Age Friendly Programme, Laois County Council and Iarnród Éireann. Ballybrophy Train Station now joins Kilkenny's MacDonagh Train Station and a growing number of public services and buildings across the country that have gone through the process. "Making public transport more accessible and age-friendly is part of the toolkit to ensure older people can age well and remain connected and integrated in their communities," said Minister for Older People Kieran O'Donnell. Iarnród Éireann said it wants all 146 train stations across the country to attain Age Friendly status. "Our vision for rail in Ireland is to be the backbone of an integrated, sustainable, and accessible public transport network, connecting and serving all of Ireland's communities," said Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann Jim Meade. "Today, with the recognition of Ballybrophy as an Age Friendly Station, we're delighted to launch of the first phase of our Age Friendly Stations Initiative - an initiative which ultimately intends for each of our 146 stations to attain Age Friendly Status," he said. "We're investing in infrastructure upgrades across the network to enhance accessibility and facilitate safe, independent access for more of our customers, while also providing our staff with Accessibility and Disability Awareness training," Mr Meade added. Initiatives like these are helping us to provide a better, more inclusive service to customers," he said. Other stations including Dublin's Heuston, Kildare, Limerick Colbert, Tullamore, Carrick-on-Shannon, Dalkey, Wicklow, Carlow, Killarney are going through the audit and reporting phases to attain the Age Friendly status.
