An event highlighting ageism awareness and assisted decision making was held in Drogheda recently, hosted by Louth County Council’s Age Friendly Louth programme.

The Age Friendly event featured Aine Flynn, Director of the Decision Support Service who made a presentation on Assisted Decision Making. She outlined the rights and interests of people who may need support with decision making, and spoke on the role of the Decision Support Service which includes a registrar of decision support arrangements and supervision of decision supporters.

The presentation was followed by a Q&A session where attendees raised a number of queries and questions with Aine Flynn. An ageism awareness workshop was led by Geraldine Johnson from Boyne Communications.

Participants discussed their experiences of ageism, which included their experiences in daily life where they felt they were judged or discriminated against because of their age. Attendees shared their experiences in shops, online or with the system in general.

Those taking part were asked to suggest a name for an ageism awareness campaign and a number of options were put forward including, among others, ‘Recycled Teenagers’.

The event saw several project ideas discussed on how to challenge ageism, and intergenerational activities including linking older people with TY students. Training and awareness raising events were discussed, with the aim of bringing all ages together. 

Age Friendly Louth will be hosting a workshop on ageism in Dundalk/North Louth shortly, anyone with ideas around combatting ageism is welcome to attend and share their thoughts and ideas.

If you are interested in attending, please contact 042 9324389.