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ALONE celebrates International Day of the Older Person 2022 by highlighting intergenerational connection – Charity highlights loneliness and lack of connection among older and younger people

September 30, 2022

Dublin, 30th September: ALONE the charity that supports older people in Ireland is celebrating International Day of the Older Person on Saturday October 1st. This day is all about celebrating the positive contribution that older people have made and continue to make to our society, culture and economy as well as highlighting the struggles and ageism that some older people continue to face. It is estimated that there are more than 1 million people over 60 in Ireland today, with diverse skills and backgrounds.

ALONE is highlighting increased difficulties experienced by older people that were not resolved in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, including loneliness, lack of access to services, and lack of connection, noting that similar difficulties are being experienced across all generations.

As a member of the Loneliness Taskforce ALONE continues to highlight the impact of loneliness amongst older people and all age groups, and noted that calls on Government to commit €5 million in funding towards loneliness were not answered in the Budget. Similarly, a commitment in the Roadmap for Social Inclusion to deliver an action plan to combat loneliness has been delayed and the unfortunate fact is we have over 100,000 older people living in poverty or at risk of poverty.

The Healthy Ireland Outcomes Framework report1, which was released on the 29th September, indicated that a large majority (81%) of people aged 50+ reported feeling less socially connected due the COVID-19 restrictions, with 15% reporting no change, and 4% feeling more socially connected. The report notes that the percentage of people aged 50+ who engaged in one or more social leisure activity at least once a week decreased from 2016 to 2018. While social connectedness was measured in 2021, the figures were not included in the report, which notes that given the closure of most in-person social activities at the time, results are not directly comparable.

“It is great to celebrate the positive impact of older people in our country today, while also acknowledging the hardships felt by some older people. We underestimate how much older people enrich our lives, communities and economy every day,” said ALONE CEO Seán Moynihan. “Over the last number of months in the run-up to Budget 2023 there has been a lot of ‘Old vs. Young’ discourse in the media and unwelcome attempts at stoking intergenerational tension. We know from our work around loneliness, health, income and housing that the oldest and the youngest in the country are experiencing similar difficulties and have so much more in common than what divides them. This International Day of the

Older Person, I hope we will all come together and take stock of what we have in common and the relationships that we have with people from different generations.”

ALONE’s visitation support, befriending and telephone support all work to reduce the impact of loneliness with older people by increasing their social activity and morale. Almost one third of adults aged 50+ in Ireland experienced emotional loneliness at least some of the time and we know from TILDA research that loneliness leads to a lower quality of life. Older adults who live alone have a higher risk of social isolation than those who lived with others and social isolation was associated with poorer self-rated health, functional limitations, poorer quality of life, and depressive symptomology.

The over-50s are the only group that have seen a net increase in the number of applications for social housing in 2021, and struggles experienced by young people finding homes and student accommodation have recently been highlighted once again. ALONE is keen to highlight the commonality of the problems faced by older people and younger people and that despite of the age and generational divide the issues faced are similar and the solutions are similar.

A key pillar of ALONE’s services are the support and befriending services offered, which is a perfect opportunity for younger people and older people becoming friends. These relationships often last for years, with many older people and younger people describing the relationships built as life changing.

CEO of ALONE Seán Moynihan commented that “For younger volunteers it is not only about helping the older person but being open to them helping you, and being ready to learn a lot from people who have been there and seen it all. This relationship helps continue the wisdom from one generation to next”

International Day of the Older Person will be celebrated globally on 1st October.

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Campaigns

  • The Alliance of Age Sector NGO’s latest report calls for an Independent Commissioner for Ageing and Older People
    January 25, 2023
  • Christmas Tree delivery in Willie Bermingham Place as part of ongoing effort to Share the Warmth.
    December 12, 2022
  • ALONE asks government to prepare for an older population
    December 5, 2022

Publications & Resources

  • Resources for Older People
    December 9, 2020
  • Strategic Plan
    December 9, 2020
  • Financial Statements and Annual Reports
    December 9, 2020
  • Research
    December 9, 2020
  • Quality & Transparency
    December 9, 2020

News & Media

  • Number of older people aged 70+ on the social housing waiting list crosses 2,000 for the first time
    March 24, 2023
  • ALONE asks public to check in on older people in their community during cold weather.
    March 9, 2023
  • ALONE calls for long-awaited national strategy to combat loneliness in light of ‘Hello Again World’ campaign
    March 1, 2023

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One of Ireland’s few Quality Assured charities: ISO 9001:2015

Charity Number: RCN:20020057/CHY 8259

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CH09 Support Coordinators

Service Manager

Service Manager

Kevin White

089 409 0549

Support Coordinators

Northwest Dublin Inner City 

Anne Nolan 

[email protected]

087 053 5887

Northeast Dublin Inner City

Ellen Griffin

[email protected]

083 044 2512

Drumcondra, Donnycarney & Clontarf

Michael McDonagh

[email protected]

Harmonstown, Raheny & Donaghmede

Michael McDonagh

[email protected]

Beaumont, Coolock & Darndale

Fionnghuala Burns 

[email protected]

083 060 3871

Poppintree ,Ballymun, Santry

Marie Claire Carney

[email protected]

083 415 5526

Swords & Malahide

Tracey Benney

[email protected]

086 010 9933

Balbriggan, Skerries & Lusk

Shauna Lawlor

[email protected]

085 168 4911

Howth & Portmarnock 

Grace O’Driscoll 

[email protected]

086 107 9430

Clonee & Mulhuddart

Linda Murray

[email protected]

086 107 1202

Castleknock & Blanchardstown

Emma Lanigan

[email protected]

St. Margaret”s, Finglas & Glasnevin

Linda Murray

[email protected]

Telephone Support Coordinators

Telephone Support Coordinator

Doreen Blake 

[email protected]

Telephone Support Coordinator

Anne Marie mc Allister 

Telephone Support Coordinator

Louise Ellison

[email protected]

087 130 3561

Telephone Support Coordinator

Claire Molloy 

[email protected]

Telephone Support Coordinator

Sharon mcManus

[email protected]

085 731 8302

Telephone Support Coordinator

Mary Mc Hugh

Volunteer Support Officers

Volunteer Support Officer

Christine Hynes

[email protected]

087 130 3561

Volunteer Support Officer

Angie Doherty

[email protected]

086 898 7715

CH08 Support Coordinators

Service Manager

Service Manager

Greg O’Reilly

083 385 1221

Support Coordinators

East West Meath

Gary Blanchfield

[email protected]

Longford & Central Westmeath

Aisling Mulvhill

[email protected]

West Westmeath & Northwest Offaly

Karen Coan

[email protected]

087 659 0667

Offaly

Christine Marten

[email protected]

086 011 5756

South Laois

Mary Deane

[email protected]

086 107 7890

East Offaly & North Laois

Aine Greaney

[email protected]

085 110 8757

North Louth

Joanne Finnegan

[email protected]

085 721 2609

South Louth & Bettystown

Laura Hanberry

[email protected]

086 013 8850

Central Meath

Elizabeth Bates 

[email protected]

087 090 0932

North Meath & Ardee

Ciara McGivern

[email protected]

087 789 0312

Southwest Meath

Tony Byrne

[email protected]

083 064 5413

East Meath

Gabriel Gough

Telephone Support Coordinator

Telephone Support Coordinator

Anne Murphy

[email protected]

086 035 3904

Volunteer Support Officers

Volunteer Support Officer

Fiona Boyle

[email protected]

Volunteer Support Officer

Frances Sheerin

[email protected]

086 108 5965

CH07 Support Coordinators

Service Manager

Service Manager

Natalie Johnson

083 062 5854

Support Coordinators

Rathmines, Terenure & Templeogue

Jessica Beaton

[email protected]

Drimnagh, Crumlin & Harold’s Cross

Theresa Maher

[email protected]

South Dublin Inner City

Emma Moloney

[email protected]

083 878 7007

Ballyfermot & Palmerstown

Emma Moloney

[email protected]

083 878 7007

Lucan

Rafael Guzman

[email protected]

086 013 7912

Northeast Kildare 

Annette Head

[email protected]

086 440 2893

Rathfarnham, Knocklyon & Ballyboden

Jessica Beaton

[email protected]

Tallaght & Firhouse

Natasha Kinsella 

[email protected]

Newcastle, Citywest & Saggart

Annemarie Molloy 

[email protected]

086 013 7256

Clondalkin

Rhonda Ryan

[email protected]

086 011 9265

East Kildare & Blessington 

Tara Phibbs 

[email protected]

086 084 7247

West & Central Kildare 

Deirdre Dunne

[email protected]

083 062 5966

South Kildare & West Wicklow 

Sinead Donnelly

[email protected]

085 872 1248

Northwest Kildare

Sally Morrin

[email protected]

085 872 1248

Telephone Support Coordinator

Telephone Support Coordinator

Emma Daly 

[email protected]

086 108 2211

Volunteer Support Officers

Volunteer Support Officer

Carol Hughes

[email protected]

086 076 1083

Volunteer Support Officer

Ciara Holden

[email protected]

086 108 2211

CH06 Support Coordinators

Service Manager

Service Manager

Shelby Unger

083 060 2419

Support Coordinators

Southeast Wicklow

Mark Johnston

[email protected]

Northeast Wicklow

Samantha Keane

[email protected]

086 440 0117

Ballinteer, Stepaside & Kiltiernan 

Ciaran Cooke

[email protected]

086 319 8034

Foxrock, Carrickmines & Shankill 

Kathryne McCabe

[email protected]

086 014 1628

Milltown, Churchtown & Dundrum

Justin Tennant 

[email protected]

083 419 4186

Dun Laoghaire, Dalkey & Loughlinstown

Eva O’Dwyer 

[email protected]

087 144 4416

Stillorgan, Booterstown & Monkstown 

Ciaran Cooke

[email protected]

086 319 8034

Donnybrook, Ranelagh & Ringsend 

Daragh McDonagh

[email protected]

086 011 6704

Telephone Support Coordinator

Telephone Support Coordinator

Ciara Solan 

[email protected]

087 936 9936

Volunteer Support Officers

Volunteer Support Officer

Grainne Kennedy 

[email protected]

086 108 2524

CH05 Support Coordinators

Service Manager

Service Manager

Lola Fitzgibbon

086 084 1360

Support Coordinators

North Kilkenny & Kilkenny City

Mary Colclough

mar[email protected]

086 410 8902

Central Kilkenny & South Carlow

Liz Nolan 

[email protected]

087 755 5021

North Carlow 

Clare Mullins

[email protected]

086 031 5628

Waterford City 

Doireann Gough & Conor O’Brien

[email protected]

086 013 6357

West Waterford & Tramore 

Maria Butfoy

[email protected]

086 136 4338

South Tipperary & North Waterford

Deidre O’Connor

[email protected]

086 011 8991

Central Tipperary

Catherine Power

[email protected]

Central Wexford

Aileen O’Neill

[email protected]

North Wexford

Mary Murnane

[email protected]

Southeast Wexford

Joan Slattery and Sarah Kerr

[email protected]

086 076 3958

Southwest Wexford

Natalia Gembicka

[email protected]

086 014 4915

Telephone Support Coordinator

Telephone Support Coordinator

Una Mc Grath 

[email protected]

083 102 6217

Volunteer Support Officers

Volunteer Support Officer

Tara Doyle 

[email protected]

087 328 6673

Volunteer Support Officer

Ciaran Fitzpatrick

[email protected]

087 674 4629

CH04 Support Coordinators

Service Manager

Service Manager

Siobhan Walsh

086 084 1674

Support Coordinators

North Kerry

Niamh Blackburn

[email protected]

086 084 1882

West Kerry (Killarney , Killorgan,Kenmare & Sneem)

Shannan Howe

[email protected]

South Kerry ( Dingle & Tralee)

Sean Hughes

[email protected]

086 084 6483

Northwest Cork

Irene O’Connell

[email protected]

087 613 5090

Northeast Cork

Irene O’Connell

[email protected]

087 613 5090

East Central Cork

Patricia O’Brien

[email protected]

086 084 1381

East Cork City

Regina Heaphy

[email protected]

086 127 7560

Central Cork

Regina Heaphy

[email protected]

086 127 7560

East Cork City

Maria Willis

[email protected]

086 011 9901

Blarney , Fairhill,Faranree,
Gurranebraher,Knocknaheeny,
Hollyhill , Sunday’s Well,Mardyke , City Centre)

Jessica Twohig

[email protected]

West Cork 

Stefan Doods

[email protected]

086 011 9903

South East Cork City

Katie Siwek

[email protected]

086 127 7134

West Central Cork 

Eva Hannigan 

[email protected]

086 378 5320

Bandon, Carrigaline, Kinsale

Eva Hannigan 

[email protected]

086 378 5320

South Cork City

Mary McCarthy

[email protected]

Telephone Support Coordinator

Telephone Support Coordinator

Geraldine Commins

[email protected]

087 390 1769

Volunteer Support Officers

Volunteer Support Officer

Mairead Egan

[email protected]

087 253 1380

Volunteer Support Officer

Tracey Kearney

[email protected]

086 440 9893

CH03 Support Coordinators

Service Manager

Service Manager

Martina Kinane

087 407 4085

Support Coordinators

West Clare

 Michelle Gallagher

[email protected]

086 127 6308

North Tipperary

Alison Kennedy

[email protected]

086 127 9660

East Clare

Steph Apsel

[email protected]

West Limerick

Rosaline Normile

[email protected]

086 107 9432

East Limerick and Ballina

Orla Regan

[email protected]

South Limerick City

Deborah Blane

[email protected]

South Limerick

Sarah Minogue

[email protected]

086 013 1055

Telephone Support Coordinator

Telephone Support Coordinator

Amy McLoughlin

[email protected]

086 107 9431

Volunteer Support Officers

Volunteer Support Officers

Aoife Dennehy

[email protected]

086 211 5307

CH02 Support Coordinators

Service Manager

Service Manager

Ciaran Gilligan

083 878 6080

Support Coordinators

Central Galway & East Galway City 

Ciara Groonell

[email protected]

086 013 9448

West Galway  

Eileen Keoghan

[email protected]

085 780 190

West Galway City

Greta Klasaukskaite

[email protected]

086 108 5038

Tuam, Athenry & Loughrea (CHN Learning Site)

Mona Tillmans

[email protected]

086 012 5716

East Galway & South Roscommon

Mary Ginley

[email protected]

086 440 0667

North Roscommon & North-East Galway 

Carol Duffy

[email protected]

086 013 1569

East Mayo

Sinead Reinhardt

[email protected]

086 108 5167

North Mayo

Breda Gilligan 

[email protected]

086 011 8570

West Mayo

Eileen McKeown

[email protected]

086 136 6717

Telephone Support Coordinator

Telephone Support Coordinator

Susan Dillon

[email protected]

086 013 4041

Volunteer Support Officers

Volunteer Support Officers

Karen Byrne

[email protected]

087 412 6570

Volunteer Support Officers

Paul Stafford

[email protected]

086 013 5043

CH01 Support Coordinators

Service Manager

Service Manager

Frances Browne

087 751 6087

Support Coordinators

Inishowen (CHN Learning Site)

Bronagh Doyle

[email protected]

861716984

East Donegal

Denise McHugh

[email protected]

086 083 4393

North Central Donegal

Michael Purtill

[email protected]

086 014 5831

Cavan

Michael Kennedy

[email protected]

086 440 2894

Monaghan

Mary Ginley

[email protected]

086 440 0667

Leitrim & West Cavan

Chantelle Devaney 

[email protected]

086 084 1315

Sligo, North Leitrim & Bundoran

Geraldine McCormack 

[email protected]

086 035 3899

West Donegal

Emma Kennedy 

[email protected]

086 844 3529

Telephone Support Coordinators

Telephone Support Coordinator

Deirdre Browne

[email protected]

086 608 1026

Telephone Support Coordinator

Kate Reilly

[email protected]

083 091 4720

Volunteer Support Officers

Volunteer Support Officers

Helena Campbell

[email protected]

01 805 7709

Volunteer Support Officers

Hannah Laraway

[email protected]