Promotion of age friendly initiatives

MEMBERS of Wicklow County Council received an update on the council’s Age Friendly Strategy at last week’s meeting of Wicklow County Council.

Richella Wood outlined the progress made since the strategy was introduced some months ago saying that it was hoped to make one of the towns within the county a pilot for an age friendly town next year.

It is also hoped to launch a website next year.

She said that she would be providing the members with a further update in six months.

Cllr. Brendan Thornhill said he ‘really appreciated the work being done to promote the awareness of the elderly and better independent living’.

He said people are living longer and longer adding that dementia is a ‘ tsunami that is coming down the road. We have to address that situation.’

Cllr John Snell said he was very impressed with the work done so far while Cllr Irene Winters wondered about promoting the senior alert scheme saying some people weren’t aware of it.

Cllr Edward Timmins said that often the costs for panic buttons can be prohibitive for the elderly and wondered if some concession could be made for people with medical cards.