THE INVOLVEMENT of President McAleese in a social initiative designed to reach out to older men in rural communities should encourage all of us to consider the needs of our neighbours who are lonely and isolated. The GAA welcomed the President and 150 men to Croke Park yesterday to unveil a programme that will operate initially in Kerry, Mayo, Fermanagh and Wexford and then be extended to other areas. At this time of economic difficulty, social cohesion is more important than ever.
Men – and especially bachelors – tend to be less willing or able than older women to participate in community activities. It was something President McAleese and her husband, Martin, noticed as they visited day centres and community groups in rural Ireland. Lots of women were involved on these occasions, but very few men. So they decided to do something about it by facilitating the creation of support groups that would get older men out of their homes by harnessing the powerful social network of the GAA.
Because men tend to value themselves by what they do, loneliness and isolation can creep up on them when they leave the workforce or cease to be active in farming life. And while some people are quite happy living alone, others have an unrequited need to maintain regular contact and involvement with others. The level of despair extreme isolation can bring is evident from statistics on suicide. They show that men over 65 years of age are the second most-at-risk group in society. And while that group accounts for only 11 per cent of the population at present, it is expected to grow to as much as 25 per cent.
The importance of consistency and follow-through was emphasised by the President. A once-off exercise was not an adequate response to the difficulties these elderly, single men were experiencing. They had to be encouraged to participate in functions organised by the GAA and reassured they still had a contribution to make to their local communities. Many would have to be picked up by volunteers and dropped back to their homes afterwards. The most important thing, she said, was to provide them with experiences they would enjoy and would wish to repeat. Rural isolation can be a terrible thing. But so, too, can urban loneliness. Elderly people should be encouraged to live their lives actively and positively. Such an approach may include the exploitation of their talents and ability. Or it may simply involve breaking the habits of withdrawal. Whatever it takes, President McAleese and the GAA are to be commended for this initiative.