Minister launches new partnership
A new strategic partnership between Netwell CASALA, the research centre for ageing at DkIT and ALONE, the charity that supports older people to age at home was launched by Minister for Older People, Helen McEntee TD.
The partnership will see the expansion of existing social care and community support services for older people in the North East.
Speaking at the launch in DkIT Minister McEntee, said ‘ this important new partnership will see ALONE coordinate and grow existing social care programmes developed by Netwell CASALA, in collaboration with the HSE and Louth County Council. This is very good news for older people in the North East. These programmes include the Cultaca social support service, befriending service, social clubs, events and outings along with the Good Morning Louth befriending telephone service, Dundalk Men’s Shed, the cinema club and seagull club. The Minister highlighted the importance of developing a full range of services and supports to allow older people to age well, saying ‘Support services in the community are vitally important to empower and help older people to age well at home.’
Ann Campbell, President of DkIT, added, ‘Research into ageing is a one of our key programmes at DkIT so I am delighted that this project, which started in DkIT, has flourished to offer vital supports to so many older people in our community, and that ALONE can now expand on these services and continue to support older people across the North East.’