Lifeline: Interview, “ALONE” ‘Living Well in Our Community – Opportunities and Challenges’

admin April 18, 2019

Micheal Sullivan, Interview with Grainne Loughran, ALONE
Communications Officer, about ‘Living Well
in Our Community – Opportunities and
Challenges’.

ALONE and the Irish Gerontological Society partner to present
‘Living Well in Our Community – Opportunities and Challenges’
Friend of ALONE, Vincent Browne, will moderate the symposium on 17th May
2019

Dublin, 16th April 2019 ALONE, the charity which supports older people to
age at home, has partnered with the Irish Gerontological Society to present
a symposium titled ‘Living Well in Our Community – Opportunities and
Challenges’. The event will take place in the Education Centre of St
Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin, on 17th May.

Friend of ALONE, broadcaster Vincent Browne will moderate the seminar which
will examine the issues facing Irish society as our ageing population
continues to increase. Experts from the Department of Health, Social Justice
Ireland, St Vincent’s Hospital, Connolly Hospital, Beaumont Hospital and St
James’ Hospital will share insights and suggest solutions to better provide
support for older people. With over 1.2 million people to be aged over 60 in
Ireland by 2032, ALONE and the Irish Gerontological Society believe that now
is the time to discuss and plan how Ireland will support our ageing
population.

Speakers on the day will include Colette Bennett, Research and Policy
Analyst, Social Justice Ireland; Karl Duff, Department of Health; Dr. Graham
Hughes, Consultant Geriatrician, St. Vincent’s Hospital; Dr.Siobhán
Kennelly, Consultant Geriatrician, Connolly Hospital; Professor Brian
Lawlor, Consultant Psychiatrist, St. James’s Hospital; Seán Moynihan, Chief
Executive Officer, ALONE; Ciara O’Reilly, Clinical Specialist
Physiotherapist, Beaumont Hospital; and Dr. Diarmuid O’Shea, President,
Irish Gerontological Society.

Tickets to the seminar, and further information on the speakers and
programme, are available through the IGS website at
ties-and-challenges>
https://www.irishgerontology.com/events/living-well-our-community-opportunit
ies-and-challenges

Seán Moynihan, CEO of ALONE, will discuss the importance of linking health
and community services to best support those in need. “We are delighted to
partner with the Irish Gerontological Society to present this symposium next
month. I’m looking forward to an engaging session with experts dedicated to
tackling the challenges we face in supporting older people across Ireland,”
he said.

The announcement of the symposium comes following the recording of the
highest ever number of patients waiting on trolleys in an Irish hospital in
University Hospital Limerick last week. “Hospital overcrowding is one such
challenge we consistently face in supporting people to live well in their
community. Events like this symposium give us the opportunity to broaden the
discussion and find innovative solutions for issues like these,” Moynihan
continued.

“ALONE has been working on the frontline of community-led care for 40 years
and we know just how important it is to open dialogue and explore how
community groups, organisations, healthcare professionals, and government
bodies can learn from each other and work together to support our country’s
ageing population.”

Dr Diarmuid O’Shea, Irish Gerontological Society President, said, “ALONE’s
partnership on this event and the engagement from participating speakers
have been instrumental for providing an

informed and rounded discussion on all aspects pertaining to older people.
We’re looking forward to a stimulating day in St Vincent’s Hospital next
month and to welcoming a multi-disciplinary audience to discuss and engage
with these important issues.”

“Having age attuned pathways, both in our communities and hospitals will
mean that if ill health, chronic illness, frailty or dementia affects an
older person there are appropriate services in place to help them and their
families. Addressing the challenge of delayed discharges from hospitals is
one significant part of this challenge – those who end up staying in
hospital longer than is good for them.The IGS will launch a position paper
on this issue at the symposium.”

The importance of being able to age at home was highlighted by Kay Maddill,
ALONE tenant, “I think home is your front door, home is your safety. Home is
to have control over who comes and who doesn’t come.”