Warm the heart of an older neighbour
PRESS RELEASE
Lord Mayor launches ALONE and Dublin City Council Cold Weather Initiative
Dublin, 1st December 2017 The Lord Mayor of Dublin Ardmhéara Mícheál Mac Donncha launched Dublin City Council and ALONE’s cold weather campaign outside Bewley’s Café on Grafton Street today. Dublin City Council’s Community Development Section, in association with ALONE, the Gardaí and Dublin Fire Brigade, is urging members of the public to check in on older people in their community this winter.
Ardmhéara Mícheál Mac Donncha said, “The winter months can be a difficult time for many people who are vulnerable, alone and isolated. It can be a very frightening experience to be without shelter, warmth, food or essential items such as medication. We are appealing to all Dubliners to look out for the older people in your community who may live alone, have no family or may be at risk of suffering from fuel poverty, illness or loneliness. This campaign represents the community and the whole city working together.”
Seán Moynihan, CEO of ALONE commented, “Cold temperatures can have a serious affect on many older people, in particular those living alone, those with health issues, and those with limited mobility. 5% of Irish people aged over 65 who lived alone were unable to keep their homes adequately warm in 2012. This figure jumped to 9.8% in 2013.[1] Given that 50% of Excess Winter Deaths (EWDs) experienced in Ireland can be linked to poor thermal efficiency in the dwellings[2], ALONE is urging older people to take extra care and encouraging those who are concerned about their own wellbeing during the cold weather to call for assistance and help if needed.”
ALONE is encouraging older people to prioritize their spending on heating during the winter months. For those who are struggling to keep up with utilities bills, you can contact your utilities company to set up a payment plan. ALONE has volunteers and staff ready to act on requests for assistance and can advise on issues relating to food, heat, or medication. Further information, including advice and tips for older people in cold weather conditions, can be found on www.alone.ie.
For those who have concerns about their own wellbeing, or the wellbeing of a vulnerable older person in the community, ALONE can be contacted on (01) 679 1032 or visit www.alone.ie.
The campaign is part of Dublin City Council’s commitment to an Age Friendly City.
ENDS
About ALONE
2017 marks 40 years since ALONE was founded. Since then the charity has supported thousands of older people to age at home. ALONE works with those who have issues with loneliness and social isolation, lack of services, poor health, poverty, homelessness or housing. ALONE provides Support Coordination, Housing with Support, Befriending and Campaigning services to over 1,000 older people nationwide every week. ALONE’s services are quality approved and are delivered 365 days a year.
For more information contact:
Kathryn Byrne, Limelight Communications, kathryn.byrne@limelight.ie, 01 668 0600, 085 233 6033
Maree Rigney, Limelight Communications, maree.rigney@limelight.ie, 01 668 0600
[1] Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative, Preliminary Report, March 2015, https://www.dcu.ie/sites/default/files/afu/DOH_Positive_ageing_report.pdf
[2] (DCENR): A Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty: 2016-2019,p. 27