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Council recognised for work on Age
Friendly Programme
18.12.19
CATHAOIRLEACH Cllr.
Nicholas Crossan received a charter from the World
Health Organisation (WHO) at a special event in
Slane Castle on Monday in recognition of Donegal
County Councils work on delivering the Age Friendly
Programme in Donegal.
The Age Friendly Programme is about enabling people
of all ages to actively participate in the
community, helping people to stay healthy and active
even at the oldest ages and providing appropriate
support to those who can no longer look after
themselves.
Donegal was one of 31 Local authorities to be
recognised in this way by the Word Health
Organisation who are leading this initiative
internationally. In April this year, Ireland became
the first country in the world to have full
membership across all administrative areas to this
significant WHO initiative. |
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Cathaoirleach of Donegal County
Council Cllr. Nicholas Crossan receiving a charter
from Alana Officer of the World Health Organisation
at a special event in Slane Castle on Monday in
recognition of Donegal County Councils work on the
Age Friendly Programme with An Taoiseach, Leo
Varadkar TD and Liam Ward, Donegal County Council. |
An Taoiseach Leo
Varadkar attended Monday’s event which was hosted by
Meath County Council and described the Age Friendly
Ireland Programme as a really effective way of
bringing together a wide range of organisations,
businesses and service providers ensuring the
interests and needs of older people are being well
served.
He added “I commend our local authorities for their
hard work in implementing the programme. That work
will help to ensure Ireland is ready to meet the
challenges and opportunities presented by the fact
that we are living longer.
“Ireland may be a small country, but we have shown
huge leadership when it comes to positive ageing. We
are well positioned internationally to influence the
agenda on Age Friendly communities, and it is
gratifying to hear from the World Health
Organisation how respected we are as a country for
this work.”
Internationally the world’s population is ageing,
and the WHO programme is a response to this
demographic trend. Ireland’s population has been
getting steadily older since the 1980s. The 65+ age
group increased by 19% between 2011 and 2016. This
trend will continue, so it is crucial now to plan
and prepare for the needs of greater numbers of
older people in our communities. |
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