Each year October 1st is dedicated to celebrating the International Day of Older Persons to raise awareness about the challenges and opportunities of ageing.
The theme for 2025 ‘Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being and Our Rights’ was at the forefront of the agenda as members of Waterford’s Age Friendly Alliance met to underpin their objectives and to copper fasten Waterford as the Best Place to Grow Older In.
In delivering the Waterford Age Friendly Strategy 2023-2028, the Waterford Age Friendly Alliance is dedicated to ensuring that Waterford city and county continues to be a great place to live as we all grow older.
The age-friendly approach ensures that all our policies, programmes, services and infrastructure relating to the physical and the social environment, are designed in a way that enables older people to live in security, good health and continue to participate in society in a meaningful way.
The Alliance includes representatives from the Older People’s Council in Waterford along with other key stakeholders such as the HSE, An Garda Síochána, Waterford City and County Council, Waterford City Chamber, Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber, Local Link and Waterford Volunteer Centre.
Key to the success of the work of the Alliance is the Waterford Older People’s Council, which represents the voice of older people in Waterford and plays a crucial role in the delivery of Waterford’s Age Friendly Strategy.
Sean McKeown, Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council and Chair of Waterford’s Age Friendly Alliance said, “It is particularly apt for our Alliance to meet on International Day of Older Persons.
“Waterford, just like any other city throughout the world is faced with the evolving demographics of increased life expectancy. While we are all living longer, we need to ensure that we also live better.
“The benefits of this multi-agency approach to enhancing the lives of older people cannot be understated. With a myriad of stakeholders working hand in glove with the Older People’s Council, Waterford’s Age Friendly programme has been informed by a positive ageing perspective to deliver the supports, infrastructure and access to a place where people can live longer, better.”
During Positive Ageing Week, from September 29th to October 3rd, multiple events both indoors and outdoors brought senior residents out in large numbers. Marion O’Mara of the Older People’s Council said the Tea Dance held in St. Paul’s Centre in Lisduggan, Waterford, was among the indoor highlights, while outdoor highlights included walks in the city led by Ray McGrath, chairperson of Waterford Older People’s Council.
Deirdre Lang, National Director of Nursing, Lead for Older Persons Services with the National Clinical Programme for Older People with the HSE hosted a focus group aimed at co-designing a new public-facing version of the National Frailty Education Programme. Originally developed for healthcare professionals, this programme helps build understanding of frailty to improve outcomes for older adults.
Other topics discussed on the day included recent progress made towards achieving of goal of the Age Friendly Annual Workplan; the importance of promoting nutritious locally sourced food, along with the up-and-coming Age Well Expo which will be held in the Park Hotel, Dungarvan on Wednesday, November 19th.
