Seanad recommendations on the rights of older people

Older & Bolder today welcomes calls from the Seanad to bolster the rights of older people. 

The Report on the Rights of Older People  published today by the Seanad Public Consultation committee  calls for wide-ranging legal amendments and makes recommendations that could really make a difference to the quality of older people’s lives.

Director of Older & Bolder Patricia Conboy said,  “We are particularly pleased that this  report calls on the  HSE  to carry out an audit of all community care services for older people, for clarification of older people’s legal rights to home-care services  and for new legislation to ensure national quality standards are applied to private companies providing home-care packages.

Ms Conboy added, “This is a good day for older people.  On the same day as the Seanad published the report Minister Kathleen Lynch confirmed to Older & Bolder that she hopes to publish the National Positive Ageing Strategy this year, the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations.”

The report also calls for some of the Free Travel Scheme budget to be ring-fenced to provide taxi-vouchers for older people living in rural areas.
“37% of older people living in rural areas cannot avail of the Free Travel scheme because they have no access to rural transport. 

Over the past year Older & Bolder has travelled the country meeting older people.  We know from the stories they have told us  that this measure would add to the quality of life for many older people.”  Patricia Conboy added. 

Here is a link to the full Seanad Public Consultation Commitee Report on the Rights of Older People