Age Friendly
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Case Studies: Monaghan<br />
Where To From Here<br />
Bernie Bradley is pleased with the progress to date but willing and enthusiastic to<br />
achieve more. She is currently putting together a plan to improve communications<br />
of the programme to a wider audience. “We are also hoping to recruit a development<br />
worker to help drive the programme further. We also need to develop more<br />
awareness of the very practical needs of some older people and we plan to recruit a<br />
graduate planner in the Ballybay/Clones area to make them <strong>Age</strong> <strong>Friendly</strong> Towns.”<br />
Letting people know when road and building works will be carried out in their areas<br />
and explaining how to pay household charges and understand new water meters<br />
are simple examples of keeping people in the loop which makes all the difference.<br />
“It’s important for people to feel that what they suggest is followed up on, says<br />
Bradley. The recent appointment of a Manager for Older Persons within the HSE for<br />
Monaghan and Cavan was also seen to be nationally significant. “This is the first time<br />
a senior officer has been given responsibility for this important area,” says Bradley.<br />
Monaghan <strong>Age</strong> <strong>Friendly</strong> County Initiatives<br />
Castleblayney as an <strong>Age</strong> <strong>Friendly</strong> Town: Many of the older people who took part in the<br />
consultation process at the launch of <strong>Age</strong> <strong>Friendly</strong> programme in Monaghan came from<br />
Castleblayney. They said that they didn’t feel safe walking in the town and were often<br />
confused by signs when driving into the town. For these reasons, the Alliance opted to put<br />
Castleblayney forward as the pilot town in County Monaghan to develop as an <strong>Age</strong> <strong>Friendly</strong><br />
Town. A planner was employed to work on improvements that could be made in the town.<br />
He organised older people in their conduct of a walkability audit, which highlighted lack of<br />
signage, seats and poor pedestrian access to some services and businesses.<br />
The survey specifically highlighted where seating was needed most. Town councillors<br />
endorsed the plan and ringfenced funding for seating in the future. New wooden seats were<br />
made by the Monaghan Men’s Shed group and installed in key locations. The County Council<br />
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