Directory of Services for Older people in Galway City

A new Directory of Services for Older people has been unveiled as part of the launch of Positive Ageing Week 2010 in Galway City.  The Directory was prepared with the support of a number of agencies in the City and provides details about a range of organisations that provide services to older people together with their contact details. It provides an outline of community and voluntary organisations, HSE and other public services in Galway City as well as details of national organisations.

The issue of not knowing what services and support are available for older people was highlighted in recent research undertaken by Galway Healthy Cities project. This research asked older people for their views on the extent to which Galway is an age-friendly city. From this Galway Healthy Cities Project and the Health Promotion Services (HSE) facilitated the coming together of a number of agencies and this resulted in the production of a Directory of Services for Older People in the City.

The Directory is of very practical benefit to older people and the organisations and services working with them and will enable older people to link into many of the services and supports that are available in their area. The Directory will also be a useful reference for agencies working with older people and should facilitate better co-ordination and communication and thereby assist in making the best use of the resources that are available for the benefit of older people.

This Directory was designed in collaboration with users and service providers. While Health Promotion Services (HSE), Galway City Partnership and the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology NUI, Galway facilitated the compilation of this, direction and support also came from members of the steering group: Galway City Council, COPE, Knocknacarra Active Retired, Croí na Gaillimhe, Westside Community Development Project, Living Scenes NUI Galway.  Input was also provided by Galway Contact, Ballybane Active Retired and the National Council for the Blind of Ireland as well as older people in Galway City.

We want to ensure that this Directory continues to provide a comprehensive list of all key services for older people in Galway City. If you are aware of changes to services or wish to obtain a copy of this directory, please contact Health Promotion Services on 091 548321.

You can also download a copy of the directory by clicking here

Towards a more Age Friendly Galway City

A new report describes how older people feel are the strengths and weaknesses of Galway City in accordance with an age friendly checklist developed by the World Health Organization which includes 8 key issues:

1.       Outdoor Spaces and Buildings

2.       Transportation

3.       Housing

4.       Respect and Social Inclusion

5.       Social Participation

6.       Communication and Information

7.       Civic participation and Employment

8.       Community Support and Health Services

This research undertaken by the Galway Healthy Cities Forum provides direction to agencies in Galway City and builds on the “Healthy Cities” approach which recognizes that the issues which affect people’s health and wellbeing are not just the responsibility of health providers and professionals and that each agency has a role to play.  It is relevant for state agencies, politicians, key decision makers in the city as well as groups and individuals interested in making Galway City more age-friendly.

Following a public meeting in October, attended by over 50 people the findings of a new report on Galway as an age friendly city, was discussed. This meeting organised by the Galway Healthy Cities Forum saw a number of people volunteer to progress various actions to make Galway City more age friendly. Some work has already commenced on some of the issues including compiling information on services available, trying to make better use of resources available and looking at ways to engage with people who are lonely and isolated. On the issue of civic participation, a meeting took place with Galway Volunteer Centre. In relation to health matters, contact was made with pharmacies regarding larger printing of labels on medicines. The group will also be working with the Galway Transportation Unit to address concern regarding transport raised in the report. Both a summary and full copy of Towards a more age friendly Galway City are available from Health Promotion Services HSE West. For further information please contact Evelyn Fanning on 091 548318 or email Evelyn.Fanning@hse.ie

View summary report (Approx 0.5MB)

View full report (Approx 7MB)

Date for your diary

Topic:  Galway as an age-friendly city

Time:  11am

Date:  Thursday 15th October 2009

Venue:  Westside Community Centre, Seamus Quirke Road, Galway

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss a new report, which captures the views of ninety-five older people in relation to Galway as an age friendly city. The report describes how older people view Galway City in accordance with an age friendly checklist developed by the World Health Organization. The checklist focuses on 8 key issues including:

• Outdoor spaces and buildings
• Transportation
• Housing
• Respect and social inclusion
• Social participation
• Communication and information
• Civic participation and employment
• Community support and health services

The agenda for the meeting is to:

• Learn about the findings from this report
• Identify some practical steps that can be taken to address some of the issues
• Agree best way forward together to make Galway City more age friendly

The summary of this report entitled "Towards a more age-friendly Galway City - A report on the views of older people on Galway as an age-friendly city" is available below

Click here for the Summary Report

If you have any questions or would like to attend the meeting, please contact:

Evelyn Fanning, Health Promotion Services, HSE West, West City Centre, Seamus Quirke Road, Galway

Tel: (091) 548318 or email: evelyn.fanning@hse.ie

Healthy Ageing - How can Galway City be more Age Friendly?

Older people are invited to give their views on how Galway City can become more age-friendly. A checklist has been developed by the World Health Organization on the essential features of an age friendly city which includes issues such as outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, communication and community support. The Galway Healthy Cities Forum is asking older people to give their views on the strengths and weaknesses of Galway City in relation to this age friendly checklist.

Welcoming this development Evelyn Fanning, Chair of the Galway Healthy Cities Forum said "Older people have a great opportunity to identify actions that need to be taken to make Galway City more age friendly. People can either complete the checklist themselves or if they would prefer there is also the option of having someone to go through the checklist with them or to talk to them or their group."

The Galway Healthy Cities Forum is not promising to solve all the issues but is giving a commitment to do what they can about the priorities that older people select. It is of vital importance that older people give their views on both the small as well as the big issues impacting on their lives.

The checklist is available below, or alternatively phone Evelyn Fanning on 091 548318 or email Evelyn.Fanning@hse.ie

Click here for guidelines for completing the Age Friendly Checklist
Click here for the Age Friendly Checklist


Healthy Ageing Conference - 14th November 2006

Galway Healthy Cities hosted a healthy ageing conference with a focus on "How can we enhance the health and wellbeing of older people in Galway City?"

Professor Eamon O'Shea, Director of the Centre for Social Gerontology, NUIG, who opened the conference, fully supports the Healthy Cities project and the work of the Health Forum in highlighting and developing the issues to promote the health and wellbeing of all older people in Galway City.

Over 90 participants attended from various different groups and agencies, which is key as the healthy cities project, recognises that people's health is affected by many issues including education, income, housing, transport and access to health services. Therefore all agencies have a role to play in relation to addressing the issues that impact on the health and wellbeing of older people.

The conference was different from the usual in that it was an 'open space format'. Open space conferences are quite different. They do not use expert speakers, panel discussions or have pre-arranged workshop themes. There is a conference team, which in our case was "How can we enhance the health and wellbeing of older people in Galway City?" Open space format is based on the belief that those whose who attend the conference are there because they have an interest in the theme, know what the issues are and given time and space can clarify those issues and develop solutions or action plans. The issues identified and the action plans developed will be produced in a conference report by the end of the day.

A Conference report and action plan was produced. This was sent to all the participants and relevant groups and agencies.

To view the report, please click here (732kb)

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