Áine Brady, T.D., Minister for Older People and Health Promotion, today (15th December 2009) officially launched the Older Voices Kildare Project in the Community Hall in Naas.

The Older Voices Kildare Project aims to empower older people to become actively involved in their communities and challenge the myths and stereotyping surrounding older age. It will, for example, provide information for older citizens, identify barriers that some older men can experience to participation in their communities and explore a new initiative - “Countywide Space for Older People” which will strengthen the voice of older people in Co. Kildare.

At the launch today, Minister Brady acknowledged the dedication of the Steering Group, the Kildare VEC, the HSE and the Kildare Leader Partnership for their on-going support and funding of the project.

Speaking in support of the aims of the Older Voices Kildare Project the Minister said “A sense of isolation, at any age can be a difficult reality to cope with. It is therefore very important that older people are supported to reduce the risk of rural isolation. Being actively involved in our communities can address the problem of isolation and nurture new interests and broaden our horizons”.

The Minister reiterated that the care and well being of older people was a priority for this Government. “I am happy to be able to say that, notwithstanding the severe overall economic difficulties facing the country at the moment, we provided an additional €10 million in the recent Budget to expand the Home Care Package Initiative. In addition to other community measures such as Home-Help, Meals-on-Wheels, and Day Care, these packages are helping one of the most vulnerable sections of our society, particularly in the context of addressing inappropriate admissions to acute hospitals or long-term residential care. All of these services are intended to support older people to remain living at home for as long as possible”.