Age Action Ireland

Older people feel angry and frustrated about the “myth” that they have been insulated from austerity according to a pre-budget submission by Age Action Ireland. Presenting its pre-budget submission, the charity will say that while the State pension has not been reduced, the impact of cuts and restrictions on other supports has “put a huge strain” on older people, with increasing numbers unable to afford basic goods and services. Read more here.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in Ireland in developing initiatives that bring the
older and younger generations together. In 2012, in recognition of that, Age Action Ireland developed a mapping

Demands from family members for money are among the issues that arose in new research on elder financial abuse in a survey from Age Action and Ulster Bank. In addition, almost 50pc of bank officials have dealt with elder financial abuse.

Groups representing older people say they will oppose any attempt to increase the financial contribution by users of the ROI's Fair Deal nursing home scheme. Age Action said the scheme was already fundamentally unfair, as no other section of society had to pay from their income, assets and home value towards their care.

Age Action is the leading advocacy organisation on ageing and older people in Ireland. It is currently advertising two posts: Head of Advocacy & Communications and Website Content Editor.

Further details available on www.ageaction.ie/recruitment. Informal enquiries are welcome to Eamon Timmins on 01 4756989.

ROI's Met Éireann has issued a low temperature warning including the possibility of further snow, while gardaí and safety authorities have urged people to take extra care and check on older neighbours during the cold spell. Read more here. Meanwhile Age Action Ireland have called on people to check on older friends, relatives and neighbours and for older people to ensure they are adequately heating their homes.

Age Action welcomes the announcement of increased funding for a number of key programmes for older people in the HSE Service Plan for 2015, but remains concerned that additional resources are needed to address  the growing health and social care needs of Ireland’s ageing population. Read more here.