Over 200 people packed the Ardee Parish Centre recently to celebrate ‘Positive Ageing Week’ with the Louth Age Friendly Expo 2023.
The theme of the event was ‘Keeping Safe at Home’ and it featured a number of key speakers on topics such as physical and mental health, online safety, fire safety, crime prevention and how technology can help us stay safe in our homes.
Presenters at the event included from the Louth Fire Service, the HSE, An Garda Síochána , AIB/Fraudsmart, The Alzheimer’s Society (Ireland) and Drogheda, and the Drogheda District Support 4 Older People.
Sgt John Heavey An Garda Síochána, Aileen Murray HSE, Joe Grogan Chair Louth OPC, Ann Egan Louth OPC, Sinead McVerry Age Friendly Programme Manager, Mary Dunne Louth OPC
Volunteers from Drogheda District Support 4 Older People gave a presentation on the Seniors Alert Scheme. This is a scheme providing funding for a personal monitored alarm, connected to a contact centre to enable older persons of 65 or older, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind.
In addition to the suite of speakers there were over 35 service providers, community groups, organizations and state agencies exhibiting at the Expo showcasing the services and supports they offer to older people in County Louth to enable and support positive ageing. This included exhibitors providing information and help on community supports, finance, health, well being, sports and leisure, recreation and technology to name but a few.
Older people from all over County Louth attended the Expo and whilst everyone enjoyed the refreshments they were entertained by the Castlebellingham Ukulele Band.
Joe Grogan, Chairperson of the Louth Older People’s Council stated: “It was great to see so many people at the Expo , I know that as I left the event, I would be putting some of the advice I heard into action, and I hope others will do the same”.
Age Friendly Programme Manager Sinead McVerry said: “The Expo was a great success. It is our intention to hold further events across Louth responding to the concerns, needs and requirements of the older people in County Louth. We encourage older people across the county to get involved with the local Age Friendly Programme”.
If you would like further details on the Age Friendly Programme in County Louth or you would like to be added to the mailing list for any future Age Friendly events/activities please contact agefriendly@louthcoco.ie or 042 9324 389 for further details.
