Needs of older people in Louth must not be “overlooked” by policy and decision-maker

“It is projected that the number of people aged 65 years and over will represent around a quarter of Ireland’s population in 2050. Yet, even though we know Irish communities are ageing, the needs of older people are still being overlooked in policy- and decision-making, time and time again.” That’s according to the CEO of Active Retirement Ireland Fran Brennan, who is urging the government to commit to promises in its current programme to support people, including those from Louth, to age well and thrive in their later years.

Making the shingles vaccine available to older people over the age of 65, including in Louth, many of whom are on fixed and limited income, as part of the national immunisation programme, is one of the key issues that Mr Brennan is calling for urgent government action on.

Mr Brennan made the call today  on the eve of the start of Active Retirement Ireland’s National Bowls Competition, its flagship annual celebration of positive ageing, taking place in Killarney from tomorrow until Thursday. Supported by Hidden Hearing, the tournament is bringing together 250 players from Active Retirement Associations across the country, making up 64 teams, spotlighting the drive and self-determination of older people to age well and flourish in their later life.

Mr Brennan said: “In its Programme for Government, the latest government set out a commitment to ensure thriving communities, to support a caring society and to address poverty and social exclusion. Unfortunately, we saw very little in their first Budget announcement to put them on course to realising these aspirations. If the government is to achieve its commitment to ensuring thriving communities, we need meaningful whole-of-government strategies and frameworks to be developed and implemented so that older people in Louth and across Ireland are supported to live their best life, with dignity, independence and equality. Active Retirement Ireland’s annual National Bowls Competition is testament to the drive of older people to thrive, and their right to live independent, full lives in which they can stay socially connected and be active participants in their communities. They deserve every support in this endeavour.”

Further key concerns that Mr Brennan is seeking government action on, to support older people in Louth and across the country, are:

• The need for pension fairness and pension adequacy in the form of a benchmarked contributory state pension at 34 per cent of average weekly earnings that rises in line with wage growth and inflation that addresses pension gender disparity.
• A voice for older people in policy and decision making through the establishment of an independent Commissioner for Ageing and Older People in Ireland, similar to that which is in place in Northern Ireland and Wales, that sits outside of and works with government across all portfolios ensure age equality and that the rights and interests of older people are considered and promoted.
• Strategies to support positive ageing through the institution and implementation of a comprehensive, whole-of-government positive ageing framework in Ireland that looks beyond the care and medical needs of older people to protect all aspects of ageing and ensure people in Ireland are empowered and supported to age well.

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There are 516 local Active Retirement Associations (ARAs) in local communities across Ireland, including in Louth — groups of older people who come together to organise social events and activities to reinforce social connectedness and reduce loneliness — supported by the national body Active Retirement Ireland, Ireland’s largest membership organisation for older people in the country.

Taking part in this week’s indoor mat bowls tournament for Active Retirement Association (ARA) members are 17 teams from Kerry, nine from Co Carlow, eight from Co Cork, five from each of counties Galway and Kildare, four from each of counties Waterford and Wexford, three from Co Kilkenny, two from each of counties Dublin and Tipperary, and a team from each of counties Laois, Westmeath, Meath, Sligo and Wicklow.

For more information about Active Retirement Ireland, see www.activeirl.ie.