New plan aiming to improve the lives of older people across Cork

The Mayor of the County of Cork Joe Carroll has launched a framework plan to improve life for older people.

The Cork County Age Friendly Strategy 2024 – 2028 provides a structure for inter-agency cooperation to support older people to live in their own homes, lead healthy and active lives, and contribute to their communities.

The strategy was jointly prepared by the Cork County Age Friendly Alliance and the Older Person’s Council and is the culmination of a consultation that brought together older residents and key service providers.

Experience

“County Cork is built on the experience of our older residents, through community involvement and volunteering, and by working and being active members of our business community,” Mr Carroll said. 

“The essence of what makes our county a great place to live is built on their efforts.

“There have been many beneficial initiatives and developments undertaken across the county, resulting in improved quality of life of our older citizens and I look forward to the impact this new strategy will have.”

The framework sets out nine goals and corresponding actions, across transportation, housing, island communities, civic and social participation, health services, inclusion, and employment.

Chief executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell, said the Age Friendly Strategy ‘aims to position County Cork to respond and enable older people to live active and healthy lives’.

Chair of Cork County Older People’s Council, Liz Downes, said older people’s voices are key to the development of age-friendly programme strategies in every community across the county. “The Council will ensure that older people are valued and appreciated and that they are listened to. If we all play a role in correcting perceptions and enabling greater interactions between generations, we can help to create a more cohesive society for people of all ages,” she said.

• Membership of the Older People’s Council is open to all residents of Cork County over the age of 55 and applications can be requested by emailing agefriendly@corkcoco.ie.