Europe Day 9 May: Celebrating the older generation.

Today, 9 May, is Europe Day and this year it’s all about the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity Between the Generations.

Pictured at Grafton Street.
Mags Bellow and Jim Reddinton

The celebrations kicked off with a flash mob of older and younger people dancing together to music from a live swing band in Grafton Street in front of Bewley’s Cafe.

To see a video of the flash mob on Grafton Street just click “Here”
This year’s Europe Day celebrates the concept of Active Aging and Solidarity between Generations by turning stereotypes on their heads.

Barbara Nolan, Head of the European Commission’s Representation in Ireland said: “By challenging the stereotypes which lead to discrimination against older people, older people themselves are also challenged to redefine their own roles. The fact of the matter is that the older people in our society are a valuable but often untapped resource.”

Celebrations went on with a free open doors event in European Union House. Minister of State for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton T.D., and Members of more than 20 voluntary and public bodies involved in Ireland ‘s year of Active Ageing attended. Live music was provided by The Swing Cats and snacks from EU Member State embassy kitchens were served.

For more Information regarding the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity Between the Generations in Ireland see:
http://www.activeageing.ie/

The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland (CFAI) and McCabe’s Pharmacy have teamed up to highlight Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Week (‘65 Roses’ Awareness Week) which runs this week. ‘65 Roses’ is the way that many children first learn how to say ‘Cystic Fibrosis’ and is the theme of the campaign.

Customers can purchase pins or trolley coins at all McCabe’s Pharmacy stores with all proceeds going directly to the Cystic Fibrosis Association.

Screening was introduced by the HSE in July 2011 as part of the standard ‘heel prick’ test given to all newborn children. Early diagnosis is crucial in giving babies with CF the best possible start in life and greatly benefits their long term health. Since July 2011’ 25 babies have been diagnosed with CF. It is estimated that the average number of diagnoses per year will be around 50 babies.

CFAI are calling on members of the public to support ‘65 Roses’ Awareness Week by organising their own local event in support of the national fundraising objectives.

Martin Cahill is a Fundraising Manager with the Cystic Fibrosis Association. He is encouraging people to make a donation. “With the welcome increase in life expectancy of people with CF over the years, the demand for our service has also increased dramatically during this time. With little Government assistance, we would ask people to support our work in improving the quality and quantity of life for the 1100+ CF patients in Ireland”.

Marie Duffy has worked for McCabe’s Pharmacy for the past 12 years in the marketing department. Her daughter Grace was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at only two weeks old through the newborn bloodspot screening. “I am delighted that McCabe’s Pharmacy has chosen The Cystic Fibrosis Association as their charity of the year, it means a lot to myself and my family.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Week runs from 13th April to the 20th April. You can donate online at www.cfireland.ie or at any McCabe’s Pharmacy branch nationwide.

Make sure to have a look at all the great images taken on the day “Click here”

Lensmen congratulates Michael D. Higgins on his recent inauguration.

They also did brochures for Sammon Group…

…and Tripp.

Also in attendance was John Bowman, RTE.

Age Action is urging the Government to reverse cuts to the free gas and electricity units for pensioners, amid growing concern at the severe hardship which the cuts will have for the most vulnerable of older people this winter.

The call came today as the older people’€™s charity launched an appeal for the public to support its petition for the reversal of the cuts, which commenced in September. “€œThis is literally a life and death issue for hundreds of older people who will struggle to heat their homes to a safe level over the coming months,” Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said. “€œWhile resources are tight, we all have a responsibility to protect our most vulnerable citizens from cuts which will cause harm and even death. We are urging the public to show their concern by signing the petition.”

Age Action used the launch to reveal new research on the impact of cold weather on older people Ireland. Research on fuel poverty and older people by the Dublin Institute of Technology and the Institute of Public Health — funded by CARDI and due to be published in the coming weeks — shows that during the winter of 2006/7 there were 1,281 excess winter deaths*. Of these, the vast majority were older people (1,216 were aged over-65).

“These are older people who are dying of cardiovascular and respiratory illness – cold-related conditions,” Mr Timmins said. “These are people who are dying because they cannot afford to heat their homes to a safe level.”

The new research highlights the scale of the silent suffering being experienced by older people. In response to a questionnaire earlier this year, almost a quarter of respondents (24%) said their homes were “too cold” and more than half (51%) went without other necessities to pay their fuel bills.

“€œThe Government’€™s decision to cut the free gas/electricity units by between 20% and 25% is going to make life much harder for the most vulnerable of older people,”€ Mr Timmins said. “In particular, we are concerned about older people who live alone, on low incomes, in older (and poorly insulated) homes, and who often have poor health or a physical disability. If these people struggled last winter to keep well and warm, what does the coming winter hold for them?”

Age Action also used yesterday’s petition launch to publish their pre-Budget submission for the December Budget. Fuel poverty is one of five key issues addressed. The others were:

Income – 10% of older people in Ireland live on incomes deemed to be in poverty. Despite falling inflation over the last three years, the cost of key goods and services continues to rise. Their pensions are also under increased pressure from a variety of new charges. We are calling for the State Pension and welfare payments to be protected.

Health – There is a need to protect community-based health services (eg home help and home care packages) which older people are dependent on but which have experienced major cuts in recent years. The universal health insurance scheme must provide adequate basic care. Adequate levels of funding must be provided for the Fair Deal scheme.

Transport – Funding for the Rural Transport Programme must be protected, such is its importance for older people. Social inclusion must remain its sole priority. Free travel is also vital for older people, enabling them to live independently. The scheme must be protected.

Employment – With an ageing workforce and changes to the elibiligity age for the State Pension from 2014, FAS must plan for, and deliver training for older workers.

A copy of the pre-Budget submission is available here.

FOR MEDIA QUERIES CONTACT EAMON TIMMINS, HEAD OF ADVOCACY & COMMUNICATIONS, AGE ACTION, 01-4756989 OR 087-9682449

October 26, 2011

*The excess winter death rate deaths in the four winter months, compared to an average of the other eight months in 2006/7. These are the most recent years for which accurate data is available.

The Principal Investigator on the DIT/Institute of Public Health’€™s Fuel poverty older people and cold weather: An all-island analysis is Professor Pat Goodman. He is available for media comment at 086-3571843.

Pictured at the Age Action appeal were left to right:

Beth Noonan, Blackrock
Robin Webster, Chief Executive of Age Action Ireland.
Eamon Timmins, Head of Advocacy and Communications.

Inaugural Dr Garret FitzGerald Memorial Lecture.