Age Friendly
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“The first strategy looked at low-hanging fruit<br />
that the different agencies could do more easily,”<br />
says Rodd Bond. “Our second strategy will have<br />
to look at real shifts in how services are run for<br />
older people. We have to ask ourselves though<br />
whether we would be having these conversations<br />
at all if <strong>Age</strong> <strong>Friendly</strong> Ireland didn’t exist”<br />
“At the end of the day, the <strong>Age</strong> <strong>Friendly</strong> County<br />
programme is an opportunity and a space for<br />
dialogue, collaboration [to problem solve] and<br />
an emerging connectivity [to find solutions],”<br />
says Bond.<br />
He sees the programme as being more<br />
successful with agencies that have a county<br />
by county structure (eg the Gardai) but less<br />
successful with agencies whose management<br />
straddle several counties. “With the on-going<br />
re-design of our health system at all levels, there<br />
is a need for greater flexibility to accommodate<br />
continuous changes within the organisation<br />
of our health services partners. In relation to<br />
health, the future lies in strengthening the links<br />
and co-ordination between home, community<br />
and hospital-based services, centred on<br />
personal empowerment and choice. Regional<br />
collaborations between adjoining <strong>Age</strong> <strong>Friendly</strong><br />
counties, can be a very effective mechanism to<br />
address both quality and 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<br />
will no longer be seen as a marginalised<br />
group - as we address an inclusive society<br />
for all ages.” The key learning for everyone,<br />
according to Bond is that older people<br />
themselves should be the first point of call on<br />
everything not a technical guide or a book.<br />
Louth <strong>Age</strong> <strong>Friendly</strong> County Initiatives<br />
The Great Northern Haven:<br />
A purpose built block of 16 apartments in a regenerated area close to the town centre,<br />
the aim of this project is to incorporate adaptations – many of them technological – to<br />
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