A conference highlighting the urgent need for the provision of core community care services for the elderly, Choices in Independent Living for Older People in the 21st Century, is being held on Wednesday September 29th in Ranelagh, Dublin. The Irish Association of Older People (IAOP)-sponsored event will provide an analysis of funding provision and participants will agree on methods to ensure appropriate responses to future needs of the elderly in Ireland.
President Mary McAleese is expected to open the conference and the principal speakers will be Prof Anthea Tinker, Age Concern Institute of Gerontology, Kings College, London, Mr Tony Fahy, senior research officer for ERSI, Dr Garret FitzGerald and Mr Seamus O,Cinneide, the Jean Monnet professor of European Social Policy at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth.
A limited number of complimentary invitations are available. "We're interested in hearing from people at the coal face, those working with older people or who are older themselves. We need people who can say `this is my actual experience of the system'," says Ms Sheila Simmons, IAOP director and honorary secretary.
The organisation hopes the conference will assist in creating a new model to fit the changing demographics in Ireland. The association has 1,000 members.
The event is taking place at the Milltown Park Conference Centre, Sandford Road, Dublin 6. For further information or to apply for a complimentary pass, contact the Irish Association of Older People, Room G02, University College, Earlsfort Terrace, or call (01) 475 0013 between 10.30 a.m.1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
