Older Persons in our Community

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Rónán says: “Respect for the role and contribution of older persons is vital for a healthy society. In the Seanad, I have tabled amendments to Broadcasting and Nursing Homes legislation to address the needs of older persons.

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Many older persons need the support of hospice care at the end-of-life. Most people would prefer to die at home in the presence of loved ones rather than in hospitals. Where hospital is inevitable at end-of-life, dying persons and their loved ones deserve an environment where their dignity, privacy and specific needs are respected.

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I have backed the work of the hospice movement and lobbied for more hospice-friendly hospital care. I have called for better State support to ensure consistent availability of hospice care no matter where people live in our country.

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In the last year, I pressed the Taoiseach repeatedly to honour his promise to support and resource Galway hospice.

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My commitment to you:

I will work toward a national strategy on Ageing with Dignity which guides our policies, including:

• More rural transport: it is a scandal that rural transport programmes have been cut back. I will work to expand the Rural Transport Scheme using EU funding under the EU Social Fund.

• Greater Garda presence in our communities – we must not close Garda Stations and leave older and isolated persons feeling vulnerable.

• More nursing homes supports and assistance for older people who wish to remain living at home.

• Tougher sentences for incidents of abuse and crime against older people.”

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