Money and how older people can make the most of it is the theme of one day event at the Waterfront Hall next Monday (18 May).

The theme was chosen by Belfast City Council after consultations with older people`s forums across the city which showed finance was their number one concern.

Access to benefits, paying for care and financial elder abuse are just some of the topics to be covered at the Seniors` Convention.

Lord Mayor, Councillor Tom Hartley who will welcome guests at the event said: “Finance proved to be the number one concern for older people; they worried about paying bills and meeting health care costs while trying to leave a legacy for their children.

“We grew up in an era when not being able to pay our bills was a terrifying thing and that fear still lingers among people of my generation and older.

“People are living longer and, for the most part, living healthier and more active lives and Belfast City Council is playing its part in this by working with other agencies to ensure older people get the best service possible.

“We have set up an Older Persons all party reference group to look at the best way of doing this and to ensure council services continue to meet the needs of older people.”

Councillor Hartley pointed out that among the services offered are free access to leisure centres before 11am, a free bus service to Roselawn Cemetery and Crematorium to visit the graves of loved ones, assisted bin lifts for those living alone and free home safety checks.

“We have completed a successful fuel saving stamp pilot project in North Belfast, which allows people to save £5 stamps towards the cost of oil bills and we are looking at how that might be rolled out across the city,” he said.

The council in partnership with the health sector has also recently appointed a healthy ageing co-ordinator to support and develop the work of the Healthy Ageing Strategy a group aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of older people in Belfast.

“The Seniors Convention will, we hope, provide some answers for people, highlighting ways they can help themselves and pointing them in the direction for more information.

“Clear concise information is what people are looking for and I recommend that they check our website www.belfastcity.gov.uk/seniorsinfo which provides useful information for older people, their carers and the professionals who work with them.”

Among the organisations taking part in the event next Monday are the Northern Ireland Assembly; Financial Services Authority; Belfast Trust; Belfast Law Centre and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Older Peoples Advocate, Dame Joan Harbinson, will also attend.