The Galway City’s Older People’s Council (OPC) represents the voice of older people in Galway City. It is a key stakeholder group of the Galway City Age Friendly Programme and aims to ensure consistency of services, supports and outcomes of the Galway Age-Friendly Strategy. Its members attend the Age Friendly Alliance Meetings of the Galway City’s Age Friendly Programme.
The Galway City OPC meet 11 times per year.
Galway City OPC continues their work exploring the feasibility of University Hospital Galway as an Age Friendly Hospital. Following on from the OPC visit to Monaghan Hospital in April, a visit to a second Age Friendly Hospital was undertaken in August.
An Age Friendly Hospital is one that meets a set of requirements recognising the hospital’s commitment to improving accessibility, comfort, and inclusivity, particularly for older adults and people with disabilities.
A delegation from Galway City OPC visited St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny, which had been awarded ‘Age Friendly’ status by Age Friendly Ireland in November 2019. A tour of the hospital was led by the Quality Manager, Kate Murphy, who very generously and kindly shared their time and their experience of the Age Friendly process.
The visit was very informative and the enthusiasm and willingness of all staff to create an Age Friendly Hospital was clear to see. Environmental features such as Age Friendly Parking spaces close to the entrance, wayfinding measures, dementia clocks and large text signage help to make the hospital visit experience more accessible and reduce stress for older patients and visitors. Clever innovations such as bed side delivery operated by the hospital shop can make a difficult time slightly less taxing. Clear, easy to understand brochures and leaflets in multiple languages ensure that patients can access the important information they need, regardless of their age or ethnicity.
The Galway City OPC wishes to thank Kate, and all the team at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny, that helped to make their visit so helpful and informative. The OPC looks forward to the continued journey to achieve an Age Friendly Hospital in Galway City.