ALONE expresses concern for older people during Storm Emma
PRESS RELEASE
ALONE expresses concern for older people during Storm Emma
Charity calls on public to check on older neighbours
Dublin, 27th February 2018 ALONE, the charity that supports older people to age at home, is urging older people to take extra care following the status red weather warning by Met Eireann this morning. ALONE has backed Minister Jim Daly’s call to older people to prioritise their spending on heating in the coming days.
Sean Moynihan, CEO of ALONE, said “We’re advising older people to stay warm in the cold weather by ensuring they have adequate home heating, wearing layers of light but warm clothing, eating at least one hot meal a day and staying indoors where possible.”
Moynihan added, “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. Given that 50% of Excess Winter Deaths (EWDs) experienced in Ireland can be linked to poor thermal efficiency, that is poor heating and insulation, in the dwellings[1], 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.”
He continued, “We are also calling on the general public to remember their older neighbours living alone and to check on their heating levels, food supplies and security, as well as to simply offer some company.”
ALONE would also like to thank our staff, volunteers and supporters across the country for their continued hard work in the ongoing cold weather.
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.
ENDS
About ALONE
Established in 1977, ALONE supports 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, 086 358 7153
[1] (DCENR): A Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty: 2016-2019,p. 27