This annual statement, issued in March 2022 by the Alliance of Age Sector NGOs, reflects on the role of older people in Irish society. The Alliance is a partnership of organisations including Active Retirement Ireland, Age & Opportunity, ALONE, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, the Irish Hospice Foundation, the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament, and Third Age.
The statement builds on earlier findings related to the experiences of older people during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly highlighting the lack of meaningful action on the government’s 2013 National Positive Ageing Strategy. The Alliance argues that better implementation of this strategy could have mitigated some of the inequalities older people faced during the pandemic.
During the crisis, older people were disproportionately affected, with many feeling fearful and that their dignity was compromised both in life and death. The pandemic also interrupted voluntary work for many older adults and revealed long-standing disparities in home care services, with many unable to access the necessary support to age comfortably at home.
Key policy recommendations emphasise recognising older people as active contributors to society rather than passive recipients of care. The Alliance calls for a coordinated government response to address ageism across all sectors, increased public awareness of older people’s needs, and improved media representation of older adults.
