 County Monaghan is soon to be launched as an Age Friendly County. The Age-Friendly County Initiative seeks to engage older people and their communities in making their communities better, healthier and safer places for older people to live and thrive. In an age-friendly county, policies, services and structures related to the physical and social environment are designed to support and enable older people to "age actively", that is, to live in security, enjoy good health and continue to participate fully in society.Where we live, the physical, social and cultural environment, impacts hugely upon how we live. This is true for people of all ages, including older people. In an age-friendly community, policies, programmes, services and infrastructure related to the physical and social environment are designed to enable older people to live in security, enjoy good health and continue to participate in society in a meaningful way. An age-friendly community benefits people of all ages. Secure neighbourhoods are safe for children, youth, women and older adults. Families experience less worry and stress when their older relations have the services and supports they need. Barrier free buildings and streets enhance the mobility and independence of both younger and older persons with disabilities. The whole community benefits from the participation of older persons in volunteer or paid work and civic activities. Making counties age-friendly is one of the most effective policy approaches for responding to demographic ageing. Throughout Ireland many counties have signed up to the Age Friendly County Initiative with our near neighbours in Louth being the first Age Friendly County in Ireland. Around the world, many cities and communities, large and small, are also involved. The process of becoming an Age Friendly County will be led by Monaghan County Council. A public consultation will be held with older people throughout the county to identify any issues or actions Older people in the county would like to have included in the strategy that will be delivered by Monaghan Age Friendly Alliance – a Steering Group made up of key statutory bodies and organisations that support older people and older people from Monaghan who will work together to delivered the actions identified in the consultation process. Monaghan County Council will launch the Age Friendly Initiative at a conference taking place in the Glencarn Hotel, Castleblayney, on Friday September 16th 2011 at 10 a.m. The launch will see a number of speakers involved in the Age Friendly Initiatives in other counties highlighting their successes. The launch will also give older people an opportunity to raise their issues and concerns to the Age friendly Initiative
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Tuesday, 16 August 2011 15:25