Ageing, dementia, finance, the Fair Deal scheme, loneliness, and community supports are some of topics which will be discussed at an information day on “Advancing Care in the Community for Older People” to be held in the city next week.
The free public information event is being organised by Nursing Homes Ireland West Region, and will take place at The Ardilaun hotel on Saturday January 26 from 12 to 5pm. The event will be officially opened by Keith Finnegan of Galway Bay FM and tea, coffee, and finger food will be served.
Expert speakers and professionals from the region will advise on the range of solutions available for older people, their families, and carers in the west of Ireland.
The aim of the event is to provide information on services available, how to access these, and the importance of planning for ageing.
“Being aware of supports available and planning for the future puts people’s minds at ease and this event will give people access to quality professional advice on the many options and solutions available in their local community. We want to encourage people to start the conversation with dad and mom about the future,” said Frances Neilan, the chairperson of the NHI West Region.
‘Very often, due to no fault of their own, older people and their families find themselves in a personal crisis due to a sudden bout of ill health and can no longer live independently at home but do not need acute hospital care.”
The information event will provide advice on the many options available, according to Clodagh Killeen, the assistant director of nursing at Castleturvin House Nursing Home in Athenry.
Special guest speakers will include Joe Healy, the president of the Irish Farmers Association, who will speak about rural life, ageing and preparing for future rural community needs, Tony Canavan, the chief officer of the HSE Community Health Area 2 Galway/Roscommon, who will discuss HSE supports available to older people in the west; and Geraldine O’Sullivan, IFA, Farm and Family and Social Affairs, who will talk about “The Fair Deal scheme - Financial planning for the future”.
Other speakers will focus on living with dementia, elder care in the west, and promoting quality life in rural Ireland.
Following their presentations, the guest speakers will take part in a panel discussion with a questions and answers forum chaired by Keith Finnegan.
