THIS IS AN INDEPENDENT PULL OUT SUPPLEMENT FROM MEDIAPLANET DISTRIBUTED WITH THE IRISH INDEPENDENT DECEMBER 2007 SENIOR YEARS Repairs that care: Residential communities IT initiative Cyprus Reaching out to the more vulnerable The face of residential care is changing - Minister Tom Kitt tells us why the The Mediterranean island of Cyprus is the members of society is vital, says TV's maintaining one's independent life is now Information Society can bring many perfect destination for some much-needed Duncan Stewart. the main focus. benefits to older people. winter sun! Page 4 Page 6 Page 8 Page 14 2 THIS IS AN INDEPENDENT PULL OUT SUPPLEMENT FROM MEDIAPLANET DISTRIBUTED WITH THE IRISH INDEPENDENT Ireland is ageing and the country is faced with the challenge of meeting the needs of a changing society. Mediaplanet is pleased to publish the first Currently 11% of the population is aged over-65. The CSO predicts this will rise to edition of Senior Years. Its our aim is to help 15% by 2021 and 20% by 2036. By 2050 it is estimated there will be more people in older adults achieve and maintain the high- est quality of life possible and we’ll be taking Ireland aged over-65 than under-18. look at their unique issues and potentials. ut is this a threat or an oppor- mitments to older people. Of course, day care centres, rural transport and CONTENTS tunity? That depends on how these important building blocks for meals on wheels services are essen- Repairs that care pg. 4 Bour planners and politicians the future must not prevent action on tial if older people are to be enabled prepare for these changes and current issues and problems. The to live full and satisfying lives in Care in the home pg. 5 how we, as a society, treat our older acid test of Brian Cowen’s budget their own homes. Revised scheme boosts people. today (December 5) will be the Society also has to tackle age dis- mobility around the home pg. 5 The issue of an ageing population impact on the quality of life of Ire- crimination if older people are to be Ireland follows suit with is not unique to Ireland. In fact, we land’s 480,000 pensioners next year. allowed to participate fully in their residential communities pg. 6 are still the babies of the EU. Some Will it provide adequate pension community. Age discrimination not Nursing home care pg. 6 19% of the Italian population is income to remove the risk of poverty only penalises older people, but also IT initiative increases over-65, with the Germans (18%), and proper services to enable all prevents communities accessing a access for older users pg. 7 and Swedes, Belgians and Spanish older people stay in their own valuable source of experience and Robin Webster, Chief Executive, IT is for everyone pg. 7 (17%) also coming to terms with age- homes? volunteers. Age Action Ireland. ing issues. Pensions and services are among Age discrimination must be A digital guiding hand pg. 8 Ireland has begun planning for the major concerns for older people. removed from the workplace. hard to improve the plight of all Silver surfers pg. 8 the changing needs of its changing With half of the current pensioners Mandatory retirement ages should be older people, Age Action believes Not hard for hearing pg. 9 population. The new programme for depending solely on the State abolished and more flexible working that governments and communities, A vision of age pg. 11 government includes a commitment Pension, increases in this payment and retirement options offered to all working together, can make Ireland to a National Positive Ageing Strate- hold the key to lifting older people workers. the best place in the world to grow It’s a process to plan a funeral pg. 12 gy, the government recently pub- out of poverty. Despite the impediments, many old in. Finally have the time to travel pg. 13 lished its Green Paper on pensions The majority of older people also older people are living satisfying Cyprus: and the social partnership agree- want to remain living in their own lives at the heart of their communi- Robin Webster, Chief Executive, The real winter wonderland pg. 14 ment Towards 2016 also has com- homes. Services such home helps, ties. As an organisation which works Age Action Ireland. Norway pg. 15 SENIOR YEARS – A TITLE FROM MEDIAPLANET Project Manager: Auria Bohn Layout: Pontén & Engwall AB Text: BeCreative • Prepress: Jez MacBean Print: Irish Independent For more information on Mediaplanet supplements: Sigurd M. Gran +353 1 2409 319 MP Publishing House Ltd Reg. no. 439216 Registered in Ireland Directors: Sigurd Midthun Gran (Norway), Richard Båge (Sweden) The Difference Between Counting the Years and Living Them Being able to live at home can be one of the most important comforts in an elderly person’s life. Because family members cannot always be there, we take great pride in making sure our Caregivers are there to help. Home Instead Senior Care helps older adults with everyday tasks that allow them to live independently, wherever they call home. The quality of care, affordability and accountability provided by our team have earned a deep level of trust amongst our clients, their families and thousands of health, medical and social services organisations across the world. It is also important to note that we help our clients get tax relief on the cost of care provided. Our Services From a couple of hours a day up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, our Caregivers provide a ready smile whilst offering these services: - Companionship - Personal Assistance - Respite Care - Light Housekeeping - Local Transportation - Dementia Care - Meal Preparation - Convalescence Support Our Caregivers We place great emphasis on matching our clients personality background and interests with those of our Caregivers. All our Caregivers provide four references, undergo Garda clearance, and are directly employed by ourselves. We handle all their Tax, PRSI, Holidays and Insurance Entitlements. At that stage our CAREGivers go through a multi phase training programme. reland s Trusted Source I ’ Dublin, Cork, Galway, Wexford, Wicklow. Contact 1890-930013 of Home Care for Seniors 4 THIS IS AN INDEPENDENT PULL OUT SUPPLEMENT FROM MEDIAPLANET DISTRIBUTED WITH THE IRISH INDEPENDENT Repairs that care Photo: Lensmen An innovative service which provides a minor DIY and home visitation service for older people has been launched by broadcaster and architect Duncan Stewart. “There are a lot of older people who “Volunteers will go into the homes fessionally and at a fair price. To back live alone that are facing a major fuel of people who have issues concern- up that confidence, the programme poverty issue. Every winter, they are ing energy, as well as everyday prob- also offers a 'QuoteCheck' service, living in their homes with a huge lems such as small repairs, that peo- where a knowledgeable volunteer can deficiency of heating, and living in ple on their own find hard to get assess the cost of a repair so that the very unhealthy conditions,” sighs done themselves, like plumbing and client can have a better idea of how Duncan Stewart, reflecting on the so on, and help to fix them.” much is reasonable to pay. annual crisis that affects many older The Care and Repair programme is “The concept is designed to spread people as the cold months set in. currently in operation in Dublin to local communities across the “We are going into an energy cri- postal districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and country. There are so many people Broadcaster Duncan Stewart launches Age Action’s Care and Repair Service. The home DIY and visitation service for older people, sponsored by Irish Life, is currently running in Galway. Volunteers, especially sis, where costs are probably going to 12 at the moment, with a network who do have skills, and can do vol- those with DIY skills are needed. Also pictured are (from left) Kevin Murphy, Irish Life, Dara Duane and double. As prices increase, so does also working in Galway city. The untary work. There are a lot of peo- Tony Gately, Care and Repair Galway, Carol Pemberton, Irish Life, and Robin Webster, Age Action. fuel poverty, and more and more success of the first two projects will ple out there who do want to help, people are going to suffer.” lead to a nationwide rollout of the and give some of their time. It can be in one room, as they cannot afford to DIY and home repair skills would be A prominent environmental archi- scheme over the next three years. anything from putting a lock on a heat the whole house. The rest of the welcome. A commitment to just one tect, as well as Ireland's favourite Volunteers will carry out repairs door, to fixing a light, or repairing a home is absolutely freezing, and the job each month is asked, with train- building expert, Duncan recently and minor tasks, such as installing curtain rail. room they are in is completely sealed ing and insurance provided. launched Age Action's Care and smoke alarms, tacking down carpet, “The focus of the group, therefore, up, with poor ventilation, as any Clients can also make themselves Repair programme. painting, or changing light bulbs. is to focus on the small jobs in the vents are usually blocked as a way of known directly to Age Action. Any “The Care and Repair programme The care aspect of the service home that need to be done, and then conserving energy wherever possi- older person who has a small repair is run by Age Action, with support brings a friendly face into a home, during the time spent with the person, ble.