IF YOU WANT to have your say about ageing in Ireland, you’re invited to contribute to a series of talks taking place around the country in the coming months.

By 2021 there will 800,000 people over the age of 65 in Ireland. The first of the ‘An EngAGEment with Bluebird Care’ talks on this issue is tonight, in the Radisson Hotel St Helen’s, Stillorgan Road, Dublin.

There, Bluebird Care will ask one simple – but weighty – question:

Are we minding an ageing population?

The concept has been a year in the making and has seen the Bluebird Care interview 18 organisations and individuals and ask them about growing old in Ireland.

Those participating tonight will include An Garda Síochána, Alone, Age Action, Institute of Community Health Nursing, Respond, the Alliance of Retired Public Servants.

They will be joined by a live audience of up to 100 older people who will also have their say.

(BluebirdCareIE/YouTube)

Events

Tonight sees the first of five events taking place around the country – the other locations are Galway (1 October), Sligo (8 October), Cork (29 October) and Kilkenny (12 November).

A report will be compiled at the end of the five events in an attempt to take the pulse of the nation on this issue.

George Hook will chair all five events, which will debate:

• Growing old in Ireland
• Austerity and the impact on Pensioners
• Life after retirement
• Social engagement: The key to older people’s wellbeing
• Healthcare and homecare
• Home security

Operations Director with Bluebird Care Eddie O’Toole explained:

We recognise that it is becoming more and more difficult for older people in Ireland given the impact of austerity, families emigrating, healthcare provision and the concerns of older people about feeling safe in their own home. All of these issues will be discussed at our upcoming events and it will provide older people, their families, health professionals, active retirement groups and other agencies to ask questions and give their views.

(BluebirdCareIE/YouTube)

These are all free events but are ticketed. Email info@bluebirdcare.ie to book your place or call 0818 227 052 for more information.

You can also register online at bluebirdcare.ie/engagement or on the Bluebird Care Facebook page.

Locations

• Tuesday September 17 – Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel, Stillorgan Road, Dublin
• Tuesday October 1 – Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway
• Tuesday October 8 – Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo
• Tuesday October 29 Radisson Blu Hotel, Cork
• Tuesday 12 November Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny

Read: Older people optimistic about ageing, but “fear becoming a burden”>