Age Friendly Limerick is committed to improving key areas of infrastructure, services, information and an overall social response to older person’s issues.
- About
- Grant funding to support older people
- Alliance - Agencies
- Key Headings
- Issues for Older People
- What is 'Age Friendly'?
- Demographics
- The Future
- Contact Information
About
Age Friendly Limerick Strategy 2015-2020 launched on Tuesday 12th May 2015.
To view the full Age Friendly Limerick Strategy 2015-2020 click here.
It is a five year strategy which officially declares Limerick as an ‘Age Friendly’ location.
It commits for the first time to improving key areas of infrastructure, services, information and an overall social response to older person’s issues.
The strategy, led by Limerick City and County Council, was developed by Limerick Age Friendly Alliance in consultation and co-operation with older people in the area.
Grant funding to support older people
Grants will range from €5,000 - €20,000
€250,000 will be dedicated to dementia-related initiatives.
As part of a joint initiative by Jim Daly, Minister for Older People and the HSE Services for Older People, an extra €1 million in funding is being made available to community and voluntary groups to continue to support older people, family carers and significant others to stay well and remain connected with their local community. Approximately €250,000 of this funding will be dedicated to dementia related initiatives.
The closing date for receipt of applications for the Community & Voluntary Support Grant was Thursday 15th August 2019 with funding allocated in August / September 2019. The grant funding information can be found here.
Alliance - Agencies
The Alliance is a voluntary partnership made up of representatives from the following public sector agencies in the area and other organisations that promote a positive approach to ageing.
- Limerick City and County Council
- The Health Service Executive
- An Garda Síochána
- TUSLA Children and Family Service
- Limerick Clare Education and Training Board
- The Irish Farmers Association
- The Irish Country Woman’s Association
- Limerick Chamber of Commerce
- University of Limerick
- The GAA
- Dromin Athlacca Voluntary Housing Scheme
- St Munchin’s Community Enterprise Centre
Key Headings
Everyone involved have given commitments to significantly help to improve the quality of life of older people in Limerick in the coming years under these key headings:
- Outdoor Spaces and Buildings
- Transportation
- Housing
- Respect and Social Inclusion
- Social Participation
- Communication and Information
- Civic Participation
- Community Support and Health Services
Issues for Older People
Extensive consultation revealed the issues raised by older people in Limerick.
- A need for greater accessibility on streets, public spaces and public buildings.
- Worry over closure of essential services and the sustainability of services in rural areas.
- A desire to live as independently as possible in one’s own home for as long as possible.
- Loneliness and isolation can be detrimental to both the physical and mental health of older people.
- High incidences of depression among older people.
- Need for a wide range of home support and care services.
- Increase opportunities to participate in physical and social activities.
- Recognise the diversity and range of what older people have to offer their communities.
- Stronger need for inclusion of older people on decision making boards.
What is 'Age Friendly'?
The World Health Organisation defines an 'age-friendly' community as one in which service providers, public officials, community leaders, faith leaders, business people and citizens recognise the great diversity among older persons, promote their inclusion and contribution in all areas of community life, respect their decisions and lifestyle choices, and anticipate and respond flexibly to ageing related needs and preferences.
Demographics
In terms of the demographic of the Mid-West region, the 2011 Census shows that 12.4% of the region’s population of 379,327 was within 55-85+ age bracket (88,546).
The population of Limerick stood at 191,809 in 2011. The percentage of the population within the 55-85+ age bracket was 25.9% (43,691 people).
Figures from the Central Statistics Office show that while the population of Limerick grew by 3.4% between 2006 and 2011, the number of people aged between 55 and 85 years increased by 13.4%. Furthermore, the average age of a person living in Limerick in 2006 was 35.6 years of age compared to 36.5 years of age just five years later.
The Future
Limerick’s ambition to be Age Friendly means it will:
- Become a great place to grow older.
- Have easily accessible public buildings, shops and services.
- Incorporate older peoples' views into significant decisions being made about Limerick.
- Promote a positive attitude to ageing and address stereotypes about older people.
- Create opportunities for older people to be engaged with their Limerick socially as employees and as volunteers.
Contact Information
Age Friendly Limerick
Phone: +353 61 557525
Email: agefriendly@limerick.ie