Pictured at the launch (l to r): Eoghan Ryan, Director of Services, Kildare County Council; Liam Kett, Kildare Older Persons Council; Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Cllr Fintan Brett; Minister of State in the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health & Older People, Mary Butler TD; Marian Higgins, Director of Services Kildare County Council; Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive Kildare County Council
KILDARE County Council chose the jewel in its older crown – McAuley Place – to get the Minister for Older People Mary Butler TD to launch to new ‘Age Friendly Strategy.’
Minister of State in the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler was guest of honour at the launch of the Strategy for 2023 – 2027 yesterday (25 May) in McAuley Place, Naas, which sets out the shared ambitions and goals “to ensure the creation of an age-friendly county and one which is a good place to grow old”.
The voices of Kildare’s older citizens are central to the new strategy and throughout its development, to ensure their requirements are met, and the necessary supports and services are delivered, and properly co-ordinated.
Currently there are approximately 22,000 people over the age of 65 living in Kildare, a number greater than the population of Newbridge.
“I warmly welcome the launch of Kildare’s new Age friendly strategy, and in the presence of the Minister of State at the Dept of Health with responsibility for Mental Health & Older People, it is indicative of the importance of older people in society today,” said Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Cllr Fintan Brett.
“Older people have a wealth of knowledge and life experience that should be tapped into at every opportunity. The age friendly strategy, I believe, provides that platform,” he added.
“Informed by the voices of older persons across the county, Kildare’s fourth ‘Age Friendly Strategy’ is ambitious, timely, and opportune,” said the Minister.
“Its guiding principles of supporting social inclusion, embedding age friendly principles, and practising good communication will ensure that the wealth of initiatives to which the Strategy commits support the full participation of all older persons in the life of the community,” she said.
“As life expectancy increases, the onus is on society to adapt in a manner that provides older people with the physical, social, economic and cultural opportunities to ensure they enjoy the best quality of life,” said Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council.
Collaboration has been central to the development of the fourth Kildare Age Friendly Strategy.
The development of the strategy brought together local groups and organisations including Kildare County Council, Age Friendly Kildare, Kildare Older Persons Council, Kildare Age Friendly Alliance, as well as ongoing consultation, to ensure the delivery of a robust and representative Kildare Age Friendly Strategy.
The Kildare Age Friendly Strategy 2023 – 2027 can be viewed here – https://kildarecoco.ie/YourCouncil/Publications/Community/
