A popular Galway lady, Gráinne Connaughton, who passed away recently, has left a legacy of kindness for the elderly in the City of the Tribes. Growing old is part and parcel of life’s journey; facing daily challenges that can only be truly understood and experienced by the elderly.
After decades of being a loving wife, mother of seven, a great grandmother and grandmother to many more, these challenges for Gráinne included living on her own, routine hospitalisations, and medical appointments all of which she took in her stride - as she embarked on a wonderful journey of wanting to grow old gracefully - knowing she needed to find a way forward at 84 years young.
Gráinne was pretty much home-based when a public health nurse recommended that Gráinne should join Croí na Gaillimhe - affectionately, simply as ‘Croí’ - located in Mill Street.
While being independent was fiercely important to her, the sense of community at Croí was incredibly impactful. Here, she met new friends as well as renewing old friendships from previous chapters in her life. Any concerns or worries Gráinne had about participating at Croí events were instantly diluted by the life-changing vibe which welcomed her with open arms. Here she found her purpose.
Gráinne also joined St. Francis Day Care Centre on the Newcastle Road on a bi-weekly basis for many years where she enjoyed social companionship as well. Feelings of loneliness, social exclusion, and a lack of connectivity with the outside world can be the most debilitating factors for the elderly.
Gráinne always highly recommended Croí and St Francis as it instilled in her a positive sense of being ‘elderly’ by being welcomed and wanted, this brought a huge sense of belonging by sharing experiences and wisdom through meaningful interactions with likeminded people.
According to Gráinne, the most important element of the day in an elderly person’s life is to have hope. Hope for a visit, hope to have something to look forward to and hope that you will have someone who will listen to you.
Regarding medical appointments or hospital stays, it can be hugely helpful to have someone dependable with you. An extra set of ears and eyes can be productive, especially to remember what advice that medical professionals offer at a given moment.
She felt that young people can learn so much from the elderly and vice versa, and encouraged her peers to express their feelings, concerns, and aspirations so that meaningful conversations can take place.
Her parting legacy message for the elderly was to never be afraid to ask for help, to accept invitations willingly, to have your good clothes within reach for that surprise outing, and to believe that every cloud has a silver lining.
Galway’s elderly have so much to offer, and her wish just short of her 94th birthday, was that her peers across the city might be motivated to get involved with the joy of living an elderly life by asking for support, advice, ideas and practical help.
