Age Friendly Ireland Convention Addresses Technological Challenges Faced by Older People

10/05/2024 Age Friendly Ireland | National

Repro free Age Friendly conference 4 — 10/5/2024 Pictured at the Age Friendly Ireland National Older People’s Councils (OPC) Convention in Kilkenny [L-R] Paula Hilman (AFI National Advisory Group), Assistant Commissioner AGS, Paddy Gollogly from Curduff, Carrickmacross, Co. Managhan, Mary Cronin from Claregalway, Co.Galway, Catherine McGuigan Chief Officer of the Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service and Mark Harrington, Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service, Healthy Age Friendly Homes. Photo; Mary Browne Up to 200 older people from across Ireland gathered for the Age Friendly Ireland National Older People’s Councils (OPC) Convention, addressing the pressing issue of the technology gap experienced by older demographics. The national annual convention at the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel — tackled concerns surrounding online banking, a cashless society, and automated customer service helplines; offering potential solutions to bridge this divide. The convention included seven workshops, panel discussions and the opportunity to network and share learnings. This year’s theme, Ageing with Independence, underscores Age Friendly Ireland’s commitment to building environments conducive to the well-being of older adults. There are approximately 806,300* people aged 65 and over living in Ireland. * 2023 CSO figures, 806,300 people were aged 65 and over in Ireland (CSO, Population and Migration Estimates, April 2023). Image: Mary Browne, Brownes Photography REPRO FREE

9th May 2024: Up to 200 older people from across Ireland have gathered in Kilkenny for the Age Friendly Ireland National Older People’s Councils (OPC) Convention, addressing the pressing issue of the technology gap experienced by older demographics. The national annual convention at the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel — held today and tomorrow (9 May and 10 May) — will tackle concerns surrounding online banking, a cashless society, and automated customer service helplines; offering potential solutions to bridge this divide.

Repro free Age Friendly conference 1 — 10/5/2024
Pictured at the Age Friendly Ireland National Older People’s Councils (OPC) Convention in Kilkenny [L-R] MAry Cronin from Claregalway, Co.Galway and Paddy Gollogly from Curduff, Carrickmacross, Co. Managhan. Photo; Mary Browne

Image: Mary Browne, Brownes Photography REPRO FREE

The event, attended by Minister Mary Butler, TD, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People at the Department of Health,the Older People’s Councils and 31 local authority representatives, will feature discussions from panel speakers including;

Áine Flynn, Director of the Decision Support Service and Mark Harrington, National Manager, Healthy Age Friendly Homes.
Garret Doocey, Assistant Secretary from the Department of Transport with responsibility for Land Transport, Investment and Public Transport Policy will be discussing transport supports such as the travel assistance scheme, JAM card, Wayfinding centre and accessibility improvements to bus shelters, buses, age-friendly car parking and Age Friendly train stations.
Philip Hogan, CEO of Cliffrun Media, a Dublin-based technology company specialising in technology solutions for older individuals such as the ACORN Age-Friendly Smart Tablet, will be demonstrating technology that supports ageing.
Diarmuid Angland, a Department of Finance specialist, who is leading the development of a National Payments Strategy, will outline the meaning of digital inclusion and the implications of a cashless society.