Directory of Services in Laois/Offaly for older people at home launched
The HSE Midlands has launched a directory of services with information to assist older people in Laois/Offaly live well at home.
Officially launching the directory on Thursday last, Anna May McHugh, Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association, said: “I am delighted to be here today to officially launch this directory and to meet the key groups who have developed this very important resource for the community. It is important that people know who and where they can reach out to for information and support and I would like to congratulate all who have been involved in its development.”
A working group comprising of HSE, other statutory agencies, community and voluntary partners developed the directory with the aim of linking existing cross-sectoral community-based assets.
Local consultation with older people across Laois and Offaly informed the contents and design of the directory. Engagement with older people found loneliness to be a real problem in rural areas and there was an identified need to signpost opportunities for supports, resources and ways to form better social connections.
The directory provides information and contact details for services available to keep older people well at home, as well as information of who to contact when they need health or social care services. Information on issues that matter to people are included such as transport and entitlements, information on how to access supports such as day care or lunch clubs and it lists groups and activities available across both Laois and Offaly to connect people socially with a full chapter on ‘Social Leisure and Educational Activities’. It also provides information on the HSE social prescribing service and cites the contact details for social prescribers in both Laois and Offaly.
Eileen Hughes, Midlands Regional Age Friendly Programme Manager with Age Friendly Ireland said: “We are delighted to work with HSE Midlands and all bodies across the community to bring this important resource together. The effects of social isolation and loneliness on mortality are comparable to that of other well-established risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity. The consultation has provided valuable insight into the needs of older people in Laois and Offaly and we believe this resource will be of benefit to all across our communities.”
Dr. Donal Fitzsimons, Head of Service, Older Persons Services, Midlands Louth Meath CHO, welcomed the directory and said: “The HSE is committed to supporting older people to live at home. The collaborative work of the Living Well at Home group sharing information and resources to support older people to live well at home is commendable. The Directory provides information on the range of supports and provides valuable information on health and social care services for the people living in Laois and Offaly”.
Fiona Murphy, HSE Head of Health and Wellbeing CHO Midlands, Louth & Meath, said: “Promoting Healthy Ageing is a key element of the Healthy Ireland Implementation Plan. We want to support older people to age well in their own communities. The work of the Living Well at Home group and the consultation with older people living in Counties Laois and Offaly is key to developing initiatives that respond to local need. This Directory will be a valuable information resource for people to access local supports, services and activities. Well done to all involved.”
The directory is available from health care front line staff, and in public offices and can be download on hse.ie here