From Ageism to Age Equality: Addressing the Challenges ...

NCAOPThe National Council on Ageing and Older People was established on 19 March 1997 in succession tothe National Council for the Elderly (January 1990 to March 1997) and the National Council for theAged (June 1981 to January 1990).The functions of the Council are as follows:1. To advise the Minster for Health on all aspects of ageing and the welfare of older people, eitherat its own initiative or at the request of the Minister and in particular on:(a) measures to promote the health of older people;(b) measures to promote the social inclusion of older people;(c) the implementation of the recommendations contained in policy reports commissioned by theMinister for Health;(d) methods of ensuring co-ordination between public bodies at national and local level in theplanning and provision of services for older people;78(e) methods of encouraging greater partnership between statutory and voluntary bodies inproviding services for older people;(f) meeting the needs of the most vulnerable older people;(g) means of encouraging positive attitudes to life after 65 years and the process of ageing;(h) means of encouraging greater participation by older people;(i)whatever action, based on research, is required to plan and develop services for olderpeople.2. To assist the development of national and regional policies and strategies designed to producehealth gain and social gain for older people by:a) undertaking research on the lifestyle and the needs of older people in Ireland;b) identifying and promoting models of good practice in the care of older people and servicedelivery to them;c) providing information and advice based on research findings to those involved in thedevelopment and/or implementation of policies and services pertaining to the health, wellbeingand autonomy of older people;Conference Proceedings