Cork County Council to Support Older People to Remain in Their Homes as They Age

A local coordinator has been appointed by Cork County Council and Age Friendly Cork to work with older people who are at risk of hospitalisation or premature entry into long-term residential care. The local coordinator will carry out individual assessments, provide information on adapting a person’s existing home and details of the relevant grants available to support these adaptations.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr, Gillian Coughlan welcomed the new programme saying, “We have a rapidly ageing population here in Ireland. The majority of people wish to remain living in their own homes and communities which unfortunately is not always possible. The Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme is an important, person-centred initiative aimed at helping older people continue living in their homes or in one more suited to their needs. I’m delighted that Cork County Council is among the first local authorities to participate in this programme which I’m sure will make a real difference to the lives of people living in communities across the county.”

The programme can also provide older adults and their families with access to a range of housing, health and social care supports. Referrals can be made by anyone once consent of the participants has been received or participants can self-refer to the programme if they wish. 

Chair of Cork County’s Older People’s Council, Liz Maddox highlighted how, “The Age Friendly Homes Programme is a very good initiative which can assist older persons in accessing services, grants and resources to enable them to stay happy and healthy at home and avoid pre mature entry into long term care which is very welcome.  On behalf of Cork County Older People’s Council and all our members we look forward to working with the local coordinator to promote the service.”

Anthony Holmes is the Local Coordinator for County Cork, “My job is to support older people and their families to navigate the services that are available and help improve their living conditions, but also to access continued health, social care and tailored community supports. The overall ambition is to enable everyone to live longer healthier lives by keeping care close to home.”

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey, added, “Cork County Council and Age Friendly Cork are proud to support the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme, which has a focus on universal design and energy efficiency, ultimately helping to ensure that the participants are living in a safe and warm environment that best suits their individual needs and most importantly, their own home.”

Referrals can be made to the programme by phoning the Healthy Age Friendly Homes National Office on 046 909 7417 or by emailing Age Friendly Ireland.