Age Friendly
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Chapter 4: Implementation<br />
Regional collaborations between adjoining<br />
<strong>Age</strong> <strong>Friendly</strong> counties, can be a very effective<br />
mechanism to address both quality and<br />
scale.” says Bond.<br />
However Bond believes the fact that the <strong>Age</strong><br />
<strong>Friendly</strong> Counties programme is not legally<br />
part of the County Council structure is an<br />
advantage. “I think if it was legally dictated,<br />
the spirit through which it operates would be<br />
undermined,” says Bond.<br />
Looking into the future, Bond suggests that<br />
in five years time there will be a different<br />
level of awareness and attitude about <strong>Age</strong><br />
<strong>Friendly</strong> initiatives. “You shouldn’t need the<br />
specialised structures anymore because ageawareness<br />
and acceptance will be embedded<br />
into everyone’s thinking and actions. The<br />
implications for older people is that they will<br />
no longer be seen as a marginalised group<br />
- as we address an inclusive society for all<br />
ages.”The key learning for everyone, according<br />
to Bond is that older people themselves<br />
should be the first point of call on everything<br />
not a technical guide or a book.<br />
Going Forward<br />
1. It’s very important that <strong>Age</strong> <strong>Friendly</strong> City or County Coordinators can network with other <strong>Age</strong><br />
<strong>Friendly</strong> City and County coordinators. This can be done informally through personal contact or<br />
formally through the regional meetings that are organised by <strong>Age</strong> <strong>Friendly</strong> Ireland.<br />
2. There is also website through which <strong>Age</strong> <strong>Friendly</strong> City and County Coordinators can ask each<br />
other questions about the process of becoming <strong>Age</strong> <strong>Friendly</strong>.<br />
3. There is also a support team through the <strong>Age</strong> <strong>Friendly</strong> Ireland Regional Consultants.<br />
4. There is a process of reporting back on the progress of each county to <strong>Age</strong> <strong>Friendly</strong> Ireland. This<br />
helps to develop the repository of knowledge on the progress of the <strong>Age</strong> <strong>Friendly</strong> programme<br />
throughout Ireland.<br />
5. Writing Annual Reports are also a valuable way to keep goals alive and report on the progress to date.<br />
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