The introduction of the euro in January poses special challenges for the half- a-million senior citizens living in the Republic.

Many, with an unhappy experience of decimalisation behind them, are apprehensive about the change, and fearful of price hikes.

They worry they will not be able to handle the new money or fully understand the conversion rates, leaving them easy prey for unscrupulous retailers.

"Their biggest fear is that everything is going to cost them more," says Ms Columba Faulkner of the Society of St Vincent de Paul. "They worry will they get the same pension, will their rent go up, what will happen to their bit of savings?"

But most of those involved with older people believe the vast majority will adapt fairly quickly, despite their fear of the unknown.

A number of organisations are already actively helping the elderly prepare for the changeover and dealing with questions of particular interest to them - such as the impact of the new currency on their pensions and savings.

The Irish Senior Citizens' Parliament, which has 200 affiliated organisations and 80,000 members across the State, has been running workshops to educate the elderly about the new currency and familiarise them with it.

"People are originally a bit apprehensive but when you explain it, it can take away people's apprehensions," says Mr Michael O'Halloran, who has been running the sessions.

He advises people to get rid of their Irish cash and make the move to dealing in the euro as quickly as possible in January, to avoid becoming totally addled.

To ensure they get a fair deal in the early days, older people are advised to work out in advance the euro price of certain basic items they will be buying, such as bread, milk or the newspaper.

Another helpful tip is to keep current till receipts so they have a point of comparison next January.

But while the initial challenge will be to ensure they are not ripped off, further down the line, the task facing the elderly is to make a break with the past so that they are not still asking "what's that in old money?" next May.

Senior citizen and active retirement associations and organisations such as the St Vincent de Paul are standing by, ready to provide practical assistance in the confusing early days.

Mr Noel Byrne, executive chairman of Ballincollig Senior Citizens Club in Cork, says the club is running a helpline to deal with people's problems.

The club's 50-strong staff and 155 volunteers will also be ready to go to the shops or post office with those who would like help or support.

Meanwhile, older people are being encouraged to inform themselves by reading the material sent out by the Euro Changeover Board of Ireland (ECBI) to all households in the country.

The needs of the elderly were taken into account in developing the ECBI's advertising campaigns and training materials, which include a euro bingo game designed to get people used to the new notes and coins.

For instance, the electronic euro converters, which will be sent out to all homes in the Republic from the end of November, have larger displays than normal to cater for those with poor or failing eye sight.

The buttons on the pocket-sized converters are also quite large so those suffering from conditions like arthritis can manage them.

"There are bound to be difficulties with any group with special needs but, through our panel on low-awareness groups and their various contacts, we are getting to the vast majority," says Ms Liz Nolan of the ECBI.

One group that organisations representing the elderly are particularly keen to reach are the reluctant bankers - those with a mistrust of financial institutions or who live in isolated areas and keep their savings under the mattress or in an old teapot at home.

Information campaigns have been targeted at them and families are encouraged to make sure elderly relatives get whatever cash they have lying around to the banks so it can be converted to the new currency.

But older people also possess a number of advantages over the rest of the population when it comes to dealing with the euro.

For starters, they have experience on their side. Having lived through decimalisation 30 years ago, they know the risks and will keep a keen eye out for sharp practice.

They also have more time than the harried younger generation to familiarise themselves with the euro.

"Older people are not rushing in and out of shops, they have more time to check prices," says Mr Jim Cousins, a member of the National Council for Ageing and Older People.

Last but not least, most have survived far greater challenges. As one 89-year-old noted: "I've lived through two world wars, the Easter Rising, the War of Independence, the Civil War, the change from British to Irish currency in 1928 and decimalisation in 1971. Why shouldn't I cope?"

jmosullivan@irish-times.ie