ALONE welcomes inaugural National Positive Ageing Forum and commends Minister McEntee for giving a voice to the Aging Sector

30th March 2017 ALONE, the charity that supports older people to age at home, has commended the first ever National Positive Ageing Forum which was launched today by Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Helen McEntee T.D., as part of the implementation of the National Positive Ageing Strategy.

Sean Moynihan, CEO of ALONE, speaking at the launch commented, “ALONE welcomes the fact that the government is listening to the organisations working on a day-to-day basis with older people as part of the implementation of the National Positive Ageing Strategy (NPAS). All of the Ageing Sector organisations are aligned in their recommendations to the government, so it is fantastic that we finally have the opportunity to come together and engage with the relevant Government Departments on the key issues facing older people in Ireland.”

He continued, “On an individual and community level, we really need to look at how we want to take care of our older population. We need to keep planning and looking long term every year, as Ireland’s older population is set to reach 1.4million over the next 30 years. With the older demographic growing at such an unprecedented rate, it is necessary to have government backing for our solutions.”

Moynihan concluded, “We would like to thank Minister McEntee for initiating this forum and allowing the voices of the Ageing Sector to be heard. In responding to the current needs and demographic change a cross government department, agency and sectoral approach is essential. By coming together we will truly make Ireland a great place in which to be and grow old.”

ALONE works with older people 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.

For those who have concerns about their own wellbeing, or the wellbeing of a vulnerable older person in their community, ALONE can be contacted on (01) 679 1032 or visit www.alone.ie