ALONE announce national support line and additional supports and outreach for older people
PRESS RELEASE
Dublin, 8 March 2020: ALONE, the organisation that supports older people, has announced the launch of a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Ireland.
On Tuesday 3 March, the National Public Health Emergency, chaired by Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer in the Department of Health, announced the establishment of a Vulnerable People Subgroup.
As a member organisation of the National Public Health Emergency COVID-19 Subgroup for Vulnerable People, ALONE is working in collaboration with the Department of Health and the HSE on a coordinated national response to support older people who have concerns, may be at risk or who have contracted COVID-19.
The supports offered include a new national support line launching tomorrow, Monday 9 March, and additional outreach and coordinated support. This support line is to complement the clinical advice and information being provided by the HSE through its website and helpline.
Professional staff will be available to answer queries regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line will be open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm, by calling 0818 222 024, and hours may be extended to meet the demand.
Sean Moynihan, CEO of ALONE said, “The WHO advises us to be SMART and inform ourselves about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and to be kind and support one another. This support line provides additional information supports for older people who may have concerns or support needs; it is led by our voluntary sector who provide invaluable work with communities; and is working as part of our co-ordinated national response to COVID-19.”
“We are ramping up our response to COVID-19 to provide support to all older people nationwide working in collaboration with the Department of Health and the HSE,” he continued.
“As the situation develops, as well as advice, information and emotional supports, we will ensure every older person will have access to food, medication, fuel, daily contact, and any other support that may be needed. We want to emphasise that these supports are free, and available to all older people, including those who have not previously used our services.
“Should any older person need any advice or practical support, we encourage them to call us on 0818 222 024. We are also collaborating on our response with more than 100 other organisations in the community and voluntary sector working with older people, providing them with support where necessary, to create a surge in capacity and ensure a comprehensive and robust response. As the situation develops we may need to call on civic organisations to support our work.”
“Our message is clear, ALONE and its partner organisations are providing additional information and supports, however where older people consider that they have COVID-19 (Coronavirus) symptoms and meet the criteria set out by the HSE their first point of contact should be to phone a doctor in line with HSE advice.”
Moynihan continued: “At the moment the risk of contracting Coronavirus is low to moderate. In line with HSE advice older people should continue to carry out their daily activities as normal while taking the appropriate preventative measures, including regular washing of hands and practicing cough etiquette.”
ALONE has 2,000 volunteers who provide visitation and telephone Support and Befriending, and professional staff who offer coordinated supports to older people experiencing loneliness, financial and housing difficulties, and any other challenges they may face. 45% of the older people ALONE supports are over the age of 80.
ALONE advises that older people practice the following protective measures as outlined by the HSE:
· Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
· Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing/sneezing.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
· Practice cough and sneeze hygiene – covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough/sneeze. Then dispose of the tissue immediately.
· Stay informed: keep up to date on latest Covid-19 information on www.hse.ie.
“The outbreak of COVID-19 will pose additional challenges for older people who may already be vulnerable and particularly those who struggle with health difficulties, loneliness, and other issues,” concluded Moynihan. “To the friends and family of older people who may have concerns, we are encouraging them to continue to support older people in the community as they have always done, while ensuring they are taking the same protective measures.”
Contact ALONE on 0818 222 024 if you have concerns about your own wellbeing, or the wellbeing of an older person you know. Further information can be found on www.alone.ie.
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |
Team Manager
Emma Fitzgerald
089 409 0549
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Team Manager
Erik Sopon
000 000 0000
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Team Manager
Greg O’Reilly
083 3851 221
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Dublin North & East
0818 222 024
Team Manager
Martina Kinane
087 407 4085
East Clare
0818 222 024
East Limerick and Ballina
0818 222 024
North Limerick City
0818 222 024
North Tipperary
0818 222 024
South Limerick
0818 222 024
South Limerick City
0818 222 024
West Limerick
0818 222 024
Mid West
0818 222 024
Mid West
0818 222 024
Mid West
0818 222 024
Team Manager
Toni McCallion
083 062 5854
Ballinteer, Stepaside & Kiltiernan
0818 222 024
Central Wexford
0818 222 024
Churchtown, Clonskeagh, Dundrum & Milltown
0818 222 024
Donnybrook, Ranelagh & Ringsend
0818 222 024
Dun Laoghaire, Dalkey & Loughlinstown
0818 222 024
Foxrock, Carrickmines & Shankill
0818 222 024
North Wexford
0818 222 024
Northeast Wicklow
0818 222 024
Southeast Wicklow (CHN Learning Site)
0818 222 024
Stillorgan, Booterstown & Monkstown
0818 222 024
Dublin & South East
0818 222 024
Dublin & South East
0818 222 024
Dublin & South East
0818 222 024
Team Manager
Lola Fitzgibbon
086 084 1360
Central Kilkenny & South Carlow
0818 222 024
Central Tipperary
0818 222 024
North Carlow
0818 222 024
North Kilkenny & Kilkenny City (CHN Learning Site)
0818 222 024
South East Wexford
0818 222 024
South Tipperary & North Waterford
0818 222 024
Southwest Wexford
0818 222 024
Waterford City
0818 222 024
Waterford City
0818 222 024
West Waterford & Tramore
0818 222 024
Dublin & South East
0818 222 024
Dublin & South East
0818 222 024
Dublin & South East
0818 222 024
Dublin & South East
0818 222 024
Team Manager
Anne Crowley
086 168 8188
Ballyfermot & Palmerstown (CHN Learning Site)
0818 222 024
Clondalkin
0818 222 024
Crumlin, Driminagh & Harold’s Cross
0818 222 024
Lucan
0818 222 024
Rathfarnham, Ballyboden & Knocklyon
0818 222 024
Rathmines, Terenure & Templeogue
0818 222 024
South Dublin Inner City
0818 222 024
Tallaght & Firhouse
0818 222 024
Newcastle, Citywest & Saggart
0818 222 024
Dublin & Midlands
0818 222 024
Dublin & Midlands
0818 222 024
Team Manager
Greg O’Reilly
083 385 1221
East Kildare & Blessington
0818 222 024
East Offaly & North Laois
0818 222 024
East West Meath (CHN Learning Site)
0818 222 024
Longford & Central Westmeath
0818 222 024
Northeast Kildare
0818 222 024
Northwest Kildare
0818 222 024
Northwest Kildare
0818 222 024
Offaly
0818 222 024
South Laois
0818 222 024
West & Central Kildare
0818 222 024
West Meath & Offaly
0818 222 024
South Kildare & West Wicklow
0818 222 024
Dublin & Midlands
0818 222 024
Dublin & Midlands
0818 222 024
Regional Head of Service
Name
Phone
Team Manager
Lola Fitzgibbon
086 084 1360
Bandon, Carrigaline, Kinsale
0818 222 024
0818 222 024
North Kerry
0818 222 024
Northwest Cork
0818 222 024
West Central Cork
0818 222 024
West Cork
0818 222 024
West Kerry
0818 222 024
South West
0818 222 024
South West
0818 222 024
South Kerry
0818 222 024
Team Manager
Ciaran Gilligan
083 878 6080
Central Cork
0818 222 024
East Central Cork
0818 222 024
East Cork City
0818 222 024
Gurranabraher, Knocknaheeny
0818 222 024
SouthEast Cork City
0818 222 024
South West
0818 222 024
South West
0818 222 024
Northeast Cork
0818 222 024
South Cork City
0818 222 024
Regional Head of Service
Name
phone
Team Manager
Michael Purtill
086 014 5831
East Donegal
0818 222 024
Inishowen
0818 222 024
Inishowen
0818 222 024
Leitrim, West Cavan
0818 222 024
East Donegal
0818 222 024
Sligo, North Leitrim, Bundoran
0818 222 024
West Donegal
0818 222 024
West Donegal
0818 222 024
West and North West
0818 222 024
West and North West
0818 222 024
West and North West
0818 222 024
West and North West
0818 222 024
Team Manager
Ciaran Gilligan
083 878 6080
Central Galway, East Galway City
0818 222 024
East Galway, South Roscommon
0818 222 024
North Mayo
0818 222 024
North Roscommon, North-East Galway
0818 222 024
Tuam, Athenry, Loughrea
0818 222 024
West Galway
0818 222 024
West Galway City
0818 222 024
West Mayo
0818 222 024
East Mayo
0818 222 024
West and North West
0818 222 024
West and North West
0818 222 024
West and North West
0818 222 024
Service Manager
Shelby Unger
083 060 2419
Northeast Wicklow
Milltown, Churchtown & Dundrum
Donnybrook, Ranelagh & Ringsend
Volunteer Support Officer
Grainne Kennedy
086 108 2524
Volunteer Support Officer
Vacant
0818 222 024
Service Manager
Ciaran Gilligan
083 878 6080
Tuam, Athenry & Loughrea (CHN Learning Site)
0818 222 024
Service Manager
Kevin White
089 409 0549
Balbriggan, Skerries & Lusk
Vacant
0818 222 024
St. Margaret”s, Finglas & Glasnevin
Maura O’Shea
0818 222 024
Telephone Support Coordinator
Michael Kennedy
086 440 2894
Telephone Support Coordinator
Jacob Shakespeare
Telephone Support Coordinator
Anne Marie mc Allister
086 440 7825
Telephone Support Officer
Vacant
0818 222 024
Telephone Support Officer
Sharon McManus
0818 222 024
Telephone Support Officer
Vacant
0818 222 024
Service Manager
Greg O’Reilly
083 385 1221
North Meath & Ardee
Paula Boyce
0818 222 024
East Meath
John Stillman
0818 222 024
Location tbc
Vacant
0818 222 024
Telephone Support Coordinator
Anne Murphy
086 035 3904
Volunteer Support Officer
Frances Sheerin
086 108 5965
National Support Line Coordinators
National Support Line Coordinators
National Support Line Coordinators
National Support Line Coordinators
Aoife Callaghan
Sarah kerr
Aoife Callaghan
Bridgeen Coyle
086 032 6801
087 179 3782
086 032 6801
086 014 6732
Service Manager
Natalie Johnson
083 062 5854
South Dublin Inner City
Vacant
0818 222 024
Rathfarnham, Knocklyon & Ballyboden
Vacant
0818 222 024
Newcastle, Citywest & Saggart
Joe Sullivan
0818 222 024
Northwest Kildare
Annemarie Molloy
Patricia Scanlon
086 013 7256
Service Manager
Lola Fitzgibbon
086 084 1360
Southwest Wexford
Natalia Gembicka
086 014 4915
Service Manager
Siobhan Walsh
086 084 1674
Northeast Cork
Vacant
0818 222 024
Central Cork
Veronica Reidy
Clare Seymour
086 075 3867
086 107 9433
Telephone Support Coordinator
Geraldine Commins
086 013 1570
Volunteer Support Officer
Mairead Egan
087 253 1380
Volunteer Support Officer
Maria O’Connor
Volunteer Support Officer
Tracey Kearney
086 440 9893
Service Manager
Martina Kinane
087 407 4085
Caroline Bradley
West Limerick
Margaret Collum
Volunteer Support Officers
Aoife Dennehy
086 211 5307
Volunteer Support Officers
Vacant
0818 222 024
Service Manager
Frances Browne
087 751 6087
Inishowen (CHN Learning Site)
Bronagh Doyle
086 171 6984
Inishowen (CHN Learning Site)
Gráinne Hargan
West Donegal
Emma Kennedy
086 720 8686
Donegal inishowen
Vacant
0818 222 024
Telephone Support Coordinator
Deirdre Browne
074 932 1598
Telephone Support Coordinator
Catherine Reilly
National Support & Referral Line Coordinator
Kathleen Bonner