Age Friendly Programme
The overarching goal of Ireland’s Age Friendly Cities and Counties Programme is that every local authority area in Ireland will be a great place in which to grow old.
The Age Friendly Cities and Counties Programme is part of a worldwide, World Health Organisation (WHO) programme. The Programme is led by the local authorities working in partnership with older people, alongside a range of service providers and other relevant stakeholders. All local Age Friendly programmes are committed to embedding age friendliness through improved sustainable built environments, lifetime housing, improved public spaces, accessible public & private services, timely and accessible transport, sustained rural development and improved economic development.
The biggest challenge is that society has to change how it views ageing. The Programme asks us to imagine new ways in which service providers and other organisations can work together to deliver improvements in supports and services that not only benefit older people but the community as a whole.
Kerry County Council adopted the Kerry Age Friendly Strategy in September 2018. The challenge is to ensure that the learning from the work of the various agencies and community and voluntary sector is embedded formally into policies and practices.
Getting Through COVID-19 Together Campaign Age Friendly
Kerry Statistics
Total Population of 147,707. 34,190 are aged 60+.
Between 2006 and 2016, the number of persons aged 60 years and over in County Kerry increased from 26,701 to 34,190.
Importance of Age Friendly Programmes
- People are living longer and..
- Over 65 population will increase 250% by 2036
- 1 in 3 newborns will live to 100
- Over 80 age population will increase by 400% by 2041
- 95% of this population is active!
- Policy challenges: Health, Housing, Planning, Town and Village Design,
Business, Pensions, Socialising
| The 8 World Health Organisation Themes | |
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Outdoor spaces and buildings Transportation Housing Social Participation |
Respect and Social Inclusion Community Support and Health Services Civic Participation and Employment Communication and Information |
| Themes in the Kerry strategy | |
Ageing in Place is important for people |
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| Kerry Age Friendly Strategy |
| WHO Themes Objectives |
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Outdoor spaces and public buildings – Improve accessibility and public realm design in our communities, villages and towns. Transportation – Through consultation to develop a public and community transport strategy that meets the needs of older people. Housing – Support people as they age to stay living in their own homes and communities. Social Participation – Support activities and facilities that promote social connections. Respect and Social Inclusion – Challenge ageism and promote the positive contribution of older people in social, economic and public life. Civic Participation and Employment – Develop initiatives that facilitate people to engage in employment, civic life and life long learning. Communication and Information – Improve access to information and develop increased usage of information technology. Community Support & Health Services – Coordinate and develop services to enable people to lead healthier and active lives for longer. |
Terms relating to Age Friendly Programmes
What is an Age Friendly County Strategy: This is a strategy prepared by the Age Friendly County Programme to address the issues identified by older people in the county. It typically covers a three to five-year cycle.
Older People’s Council:This is a representative group of older people, established by local authorities as part of the development of the Age Friendly City/County programme. This group of older people identify priority areas of need, raise issues of importance and inform and influence the decision making process of the City or County Age Friendly initiative.
Age Friendly County Alliance: This is a high level cross-sector group, chaired by the Chief Executive of the Local Authority (or a nominated representative). The member agencies of the Age Friendly Alliance form a strategic partnership to develop and oversee the realisation of the Age Friendly City or County Strategy. In Kerry, rather than have a separate structure, the Local Community Development Committee is the Alliance and an Age Friendly Steering Group reports to this group
Contact Us
County Buildings
Rathass
Tralee
Co.Kerry
066 7183680