HSE boss in visit to Summerhill centre

HSE chief executive Professor Brendan Drumm paid a visit to the Third Age Foundation in Summerhill yesterday (Tuesday) to see at first hand the many projects taking place under its roof which work together to improve the health and well-being of local older people. The Third Age Foundation is the hub for a broad range of ideas and activities with members including local older people, the Travelling community and residents of a local long-stay hospital. Activities include an internet cafe, inter-generational projects with local children, free English language classes for new migrants offered by older volunteer tutors, as well as an advocacy and outreach services. There were about 90 people present to welcome Professor Drumm when he visited the Third Age Centre and he spent about two hours talking to people and hearing about the various projects members are involved in. Professor Drumm was shown the various projects and saw older people surf the net in the internet cafe and met others who were teaching knitting to groups of children. He also met those involved in the Failte Isteach project where groups of migrant workers come to the centre to be taught English by the older people. 'He saw first-hand the premises where we operate and how difficult it is. He saw the health initiatives we run for older women and men and was very complimentary of what he saw,' said volunteer Colm O"Connor. Mr O"Connor added that Professor Drum said the Third Age Centre was a very good model and one that would be worthy of emulating in the rest of the county. He said the HSE chief was very impressed at what the older people are doing for themselves and also pointed out that health care is not just about doctors and hospitals, but also about what happens in the community. Professor Drumm was presented with chocolate and honey produced locally in Summerhill and also two of the 'trauma teddies" knitted by local children which are given to the ambulance service. The national office of the Senior Help Line is also located in the Third Age Centre. The Senior Help Line is a confidential listening service for older people by older people for the price of a local call anywhere in the country. The lines are open each day from 10am-4pm and 7-10pm, a total of 63 listening hours per week. The number is 1850 440 444. 'The Third Age centre is 20 years old this year, and Senior Help Line is 10 years old this year, so it is fitting that Professor Drumm had the opportunity to see and evaluate our work in this auspicious year,' said Third Age chief executive officer, Mary Nally. 'Numerous surveys indicate that it is the wish of most older people to live at home in their own communities. We are a core service provider in terms of preventive health, risk reduction and health promotion. 'Our many Third Age activities make a valid and valuable contribution towards helping to keep older people at home as is their wish, either living fully independent lives or with some assistance from statutory and voluntary community services,' she said. 'Our Senior Help Line service helps thousands of older people nationally each year. Many callers feel lonely or isolated, and they phone with a specific problem, a health or safety worry. Our volunteers help them explore their options and many tell us they feel much better and clearer having had a chance to discuss the problem,' added Ms Nally. The ethos of both organisations is self-empowerment, encouraging older people to participate in a way that improves their own lives and makes a positive difference to their communities. 'We feel the Third Age Foundation offers a unique model for older people, a viable template upon which to deliver local services to our growing numbers of older people. In this context, we looked forward to welcoming Professor Drumm and showing him all we do,' she said.