Planning for Age

Ireland's first national seminar on coordinated forward planning for an ageing population took place on June 22 this year. The seminar highlighted the importance of planning for ageing and the necessity for planners and service providers to age proof their policies and processes so that we achieve better outcomes for older people in the integrated planning of services and infrastructure at a national and regional level. The discussions and feedback from the seminar emphasised the fact that this approach is not just effective for older people but for all ages and all communities if we are to successfully plan for all our futures.

At The Seminar:

• Mr Willie Penrose, TD, Minister for Housing and Planning gave the opening address
• Conor Skehan and Dr Lorcan Sirr (DIT) presented findings from the first Irish Study on “Ageing in Place”, which explored the impact of location and housing on the well-being of older people.  They explored the consequences of failing to plan adequately and the importance of taking account of changing patterns of behaviour, life-style and expectations of new generations of older people.  They set out options for what can be done to create ‘age-friendly’ places.
• Conn Murray, County Manager Louth, presented on the experience of Louth as Ireland’s first ‘Age-Friendly’ county and their experience of using the WHO Age Friendly Cities Guidelines in an Area Development Plan.

Presentations

• Conn Murray
• Anne Connolly
• Conor Skehan and Dr Lorcan Sirr