April 2024 Age Friendly Laois Newsletter
March 2024 Age Friendly Newsletter- Live Well edition
Portlaoise Family Resource Centre to return for Live Well Expo 2024
HSE Directory of Supports and Services for Older People in Laois and Offaly
The HSE Midlands has launched a directory of services with information to assist older people in Laois/Offaly live well at home.
Officially launching the directory on Thursday last, Anna May McHugh, Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association, said: “I am delighted to be here today to officially launch this directory and to meet the key groups who have developed this very important resource for the community. It is important that people know who and where they can reach out to for information and support and I would like to congratulate all who have been involved in its development.”
A working group comprising of HSE, other statutory agencies, community and voluntary partners developed the directory with the aim of linking existing cross-sectoral community-based assets.
Local consultation with older people across Laois and Offaly informed the contents and design of the directory. Engagement with older people found loneliness to be a real problem in rural areas and there was an identified need to signpost opportunities for supports, resources and ways to form better social connections.
The directory provides information and contact details for services available to keep older people well at home, as well as information of who to contact when they need health or social care services. Information on issues that matter to people are included such as transport and entitlements, information on how to access supports such as day care or lunch clubs and it lists groups and activities available across both Laois and Offaly to connect people socially with a full chapter on ‘Social Leisure and Educational Activities’. It also provides information on the HSE social prescribing service and cites the contact details for social prescribers in both Laois and Offaly.
Eileen Hughes, Midlands Regional Age Friendly Programme Manager with Age Friendly Ireland said: “We are delighted to work with HSE Midlands and all bodies across the community to bring this important resource together. The effects of social isolation and loneliness on mortality are comparable to that of other well-established risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity. The consultation has provided valuable insight into the needs of older people in Laois and Offaly and we believe this resource will be of benefit to all across our communities.”
Dr. Donal Fitzsimons, Head of Service, Older Persons Services, Midlands Louth Meath CHO, welcomed the directory and said: “The HSE is committed to supporting older people to live at home. The collaborative work of the Living Well at Home group sharing information and resources to support older people to live well at home is commendable. The Directory provides information on the range of supports and provides valuable information on health and social care services for the people living in Laois and Offaly”.
Fiona Murphy, HSE Head of Health and Wellbeing CHO Midlands, Louth & Meath, said: “Promoting Healthy Ageing is a key element of the Healthy Ireland Implementation Plan. We want to support older people to age well in their own communities. The work of the Living Well at Home group and the consultation with older people living in Counties Laois and Offaly is key to developing initiatives that respond to local need. This Directory will be a valuable information resource for people to access local supports, services and activities. Well done to all involved.”
The directory is available from health care front line staff, and in public offices and can be download on h
Breaking News
Live Well Expo returns in April. Save the date
The Live Well Expo returns to Portlaoise College on the 4th April , 2024 from 1pm to 6pm. The exhibitors, speakers and other features are currently being organised by Age Friendly & Heathy Laois.
This year we hope to have an even larger attendance and have changed the time slot to 1pm to 6pm, giving you an extra hour to browse the stands and see our featured speakers . As plans progress, we will let you know who will be there on the day to show you what they offer.
Age Friendly Laois guide to services in Laois for older people
February 2024 Newsletter
Do you need help or have questions about using your smartphone or accessing the internet?
The Community Outreach team at Google Dublin are holding a Technology Day on 21st February 2024. The event aims to help older adults navigate the online digital space for their day-to-day activities, and help clarify any doubts and concerns they have.
A team of Google volunteers will provide one-to-one consultations, and answer any digital questions you may have such as: internet access basics, how to use apps, how to use a smartphone, staying secure online, tips for recognising online fraud, booking trips, sourcing online entertainment, and creating an email account.
There’s no need to book – just drop in to the Google offices at the address below on 21st February. Please note, you will need to 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲.
Venue: Google Docks, Barrow Street, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 4, D04 V4X7
Know your Eircode
Re-imaging Aging
As part of Laois Connects , Joe Tierney, lecturer and researcher at the Technological University of the Shannon, gave a great talk at the Dunamaise Arts Centre. In his talk, he spoke of the importance of staying active and engaged, of maintaining connections as we age. He spoke of agism and the stereotypes associated with getting old.
Anna May McHugh Joins Laois Older Peoples Council AGM to Champion Positive Aging
Castletown Community Centre welcomed Age Friendly Laois last Tuesday the 24th October for the AGM of the Older Peoples Council. There was a full house for the event, at which the new Laois Age Friendly Strategy was launched by our Age Friendly Ambassador, Mrs Anna May McHugh and the Cathaoirleach, Laois County Council, Cllr. Paschal McEvoy.
Anna May spoke powerfully on “remaining active as you age and how age is just a number “. She informed attendees that she only “feels 45 and she has no intention of slowing down”. She told the audience that we were all born with gifts that we should share. As she continues to remain active, Anna May also praised Portlaoise Active Retirement group , who will celebrate 20 years in existence next April. Special mention went to founding member Andy McQuillan, who at 90 years of age is still an active member of the group.
Cathaoirleach Paschal McEvoy welcomed the strategy and praised all involved in its production. He noted that Laois is blessed with an active older population and that it up to all ages to ensure that the actions contained within the strategy are realised and delivered upon for the benefit of the citizens of Laois. He noted that the voice of the older person is at the heart of the strategy and that the actions within the strategy are a direct result of consultation with the older community.
Pamela Tynan, A/SEO , Laois County Council on behalf of the Age Friendly Alliance welcomed all attendees from all over Laois and acknowledged the inputs of the alliance members in the design and future implementation of the strategy. She also praised the volunteerism and community spirit of Castletown, which led to the upgrading of the venue that hosted the Older Persons Council this year.
There was a presentation from Ms Eileen Hughes, from Age Friendly Ireland on the Age Friendly programme and local Age Friendly co-ordinator Mr Tom Curran gave a brief outline of some Age friendly Initiatives, which was followed by a video presentation from Mr Joe Tierney of Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone on the topic of Agism. We were joined on the day by members of the Alliance, who also provided information stands to those in attendance. These were LOETB , Laois Volunteer Centre, Local Link Laois Offaly, Laois Libraries & Laois Offaly Community Policing Gardai. There was also an opportunity on the day to update your Electoral Register details through Laois County Council & checktheregister.ie. An Eircode awareness campaign was also launched on the day and the importance of knowing your Eircode was highlighted.
Music & Dancing followed to the ever popular Martin Delaney, who kept the dancefloor full all afternoon.
The Laois Age Friendly Older People’s Council AGM further cemented its commitment in creating an age-friendly community that promotes inclusivity, respect and vitality for older residents. With the formation of a new Executive Committee and the launch of the Age Friendly Strategy for Laois 2023-2027, the future indeed looks promising for age-friendly initiatives in the region.
If you would like to be involved in the Executive and in having a say in your future, contact Tom Curran at the details below
To see more details on the Age Friendly programme visit agefriendly.ie, laois.ie and to contact the Laois Age Friendly Programme co-ordinator email tcurran@laoiscoco.ie or call 05786 64150 / 0860363426
