Ballymagroarty Hazelbank Community Partnership hosting Age Rights Event this week

Ballymagroarty Hazelbank Community Partnership (BHCP) will host an Age Rights Event at the Ballymagroarty Community Centre this Thursday from 1-4pm.

Speaking on the Initiative Maeve Mc Laughlin (Acting Manager) said the objective was twofold. 

Mrs McLaughlin: "We are delighted this year that local resident Noreen Arnold has been nominated as North West Pensioner of the Year.

"This is a hugely important recognition of the vital work that Noreen has and continues to deliver in the local community. It is important therefore that we acknowledge this award and connect and learn from other communities.

"Secondly we have an ageing population – By 2020, the number of people over 75 years is expected to increase by 40% from that in 2009, and the number of people aged over 85 is expected to increase by 58%.

"It is vital therefore that we plan, lobby and move older persons rights further up the agenda. Our Older people have contributed over many generations to our communities and our economy – it is vital therefore that their needs and rights are recognised and actioned.

"Whilst there has been many positive policy changes such as the Smart pass and Free prescriptions we must equally address affordability and accessibility of care packages and choice in various types of care.

"A report from Patient and Client Council in 2012 confirmed “The findings of the questionnaire reveal that levels of satisfaction with the quality of Home care is high, with 87% of people rating the quality of care as “good” or “very good”.  Domiciliary care is clearly an invaluable service to many older people, both for the quality of care provided and the support and company of care workers. 

"One of the most positive aspects of domiciliary care expressed by older people is that it enables them to remain in their own home and to maintain some sense of independence, rather than face the alternative of residential or nursing care.      

"However, a significant minority of people were unhappy with aspects of the service. 16% felt that the help they currently receive does not meet their needs. The most frequently voiced issues with home care in the questionnaires were: the short

"Duration of calls, inconvenient call times, inconsistent quality of care staff, inflexibility and lack of continuity of care. As a result, 23% of people said that the care they received only improved their quality of life “a little”.

"Whilst many felt that their care did cover basic needs, a lot more support was needed in order to achieve a good quality of life” 

"Critically important is the need to protect our older population from abuse in society that can take many forms, physical, emotional and financial.

"In showcasing all that is good about our older people this event will provide a platform to highlight areas for action and change

Anyone wishing to get involved in this initiative can contact Roxanne Quigley at BHCP 71 271977.