Issues

The 2009 campaign described how cuts were impacting on older people’s quality of life. Being solution focussed the campaign promoted 5 sensible and achievable solutions for an age-friendly Ireland. 

Prior to the 2009 campaign Older & Bolder conducted a country-wide programme of consultation meetings with older people. They told us that reliable State supports are absolutely vital to their wellbeing and quality of life. It was clear that the removal of those supports would further damage older people’s independence and security.

Furthermore, research carried out by older people was very important in illustrating the effects of the recession on older people’s quality of life.  Coping mechanisms older people were using included: heating and living in one room in the house; shopping for discounted and cheaper food and fuel products. Download the research report Feeling the Pinch: Older People’s experience of the Recession in Ireland

The campaign challenged decision makers about the following issues:

• The proposed 5% cut to the State Pension
• Loss of the Christmas Bonus
• Reduction in cover to bed and board only under the Fair Deal Nursing Home Scheme. The scheme for older people will now exclude essential therapies, equipment and social programmes
• The lack of a clear commitment to the Rural Transport Scheme in the New Programme for Government; which only looks to “explore the provision of a full-scale transport system in rural areas”
• Reductions in Home Help services
• The suspension of the scheme providing socially-monitored alarms to older people
• The McCarthy Report proposals
• €5 prescription charge for medical card holders
• Removing free passports to those over 65
• Taxation of Household Benefits Package

The campaign urged decision makers to implement 5 sensible and achievable solutions for an age-friendly society

1) Protect and build on existing supports and services to older people

Use these supports to assist positive ageing and to delay ill-health and disability. This will reduce the need for long-term care and, in the long run, save money for the State. 

2) Protect the State Pension

Utilise the State Pension as a first tier building block in a renewed pension system that meets principles of adequacy, simplicity, universality and sustainability.

3) Develop a new approach to retirement and extended working life. 

Provide older people with options for work and learning by developing measures for flexible retirement, modifying the PRSI system, and supporting educational initiatives that are tailored to the needs of older people. 

4) Develop efficient information systems for planning

Plan wisely for population ageing by developing efficient information-sharing systems, as well as methods of targeting vulnerable categories of older people for special support. 

5) Involve older people in the process of designing and implementing policies to meet their own needs. 

Involve older people and older people’s groups in shaping policy and practices on ageing. Develop meaningful consultation processes from the bottom up for the National Positive Ageing Strategy.