COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOCIAL, COMMUNITY & EQUALITY SPC
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
HEADED ITEM NO. 4
Developing an Updated County Age Friendly Strategy
Context
The Council's inaugural Age Friendly Strategy was launched in 2012. Since then, the population of the County has grown by an additional 13,544 with the population increasing from 265,205 in 2011 to 278,749 in 2016. This growth in population represents a 5.1% increase that is the 8th highest increase in the local authority areas in the country. According to the Census reports, 11% of South Dublin County’s residents are 65 years old or older but research and evidence shows that people in Ireland are living longer and healthier lives, thanks primarily to improvements in healthcare and lifestyles.
Since Census 2016, the estimated population growth between 2016 and 2019 was 3.8% with the number and proportion of the population in older age groups continuing to grow–the number of people over the age of 65 is increasing nationally by some 20,000 a year. Over the next 20 years, the number of people aged 85 and over is projected to increase by average of 6,000 annually. Notwithstanding further increases in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy in the coming decades, it has been proposed that the expected increase in the number of people over the age of 65 years will lead to increased demands on our social, health and welfare services in particular which will present a number of challenges for the Council and indeed all public service providers in County.
A revised and updated Age Friendly Strategy will build the successes of the inaugural Age Friendly Stratgey and seek to identify and address the growing challenges in this area by:
- Improving the health and well-being of older people in the County
- Increasing participation in the social, economic and cultural life of the community
- Encouraging effective partnerships between local statutory, private and voluntary organisations
What We Have Achieved
Since the first Age Friendly Strategy was launched in 2012, a number of initiatives have been progressed. Examples include:
- Home Security Lock Scheme
- Carbon Monoxide Scheme
- South Dublin Transport Study 2016
- Pilot ExWell Programme
- Tallaght Integrated Care for Older Person’s Team commenced in January 2017
- Dedicated events for Older Persons during Annual Health and Wellbeing Week and Annual Programme for Bealtaine.
- An Garda Síochána continue to support many Neighbourhood Watch Committees in the County improving safety and security for older persons
- An audit of community buildings, play spaces and pitches has been carried out by South Dublin County Council
- Mens sheds/social clubs have been developed across the county
- The very successful 55+ Daily Planner updated annually
- Proposals for a range of older persons' accommodation has been progressed through the Part 8 planning process
- The County’s Older Persons Council, Tus Nua meet once a month to discuss issues affecting older people
Vision and Values
The vision of the new strategy will be to make South County Dublin a place where older people are treated with dignity and respect; and their contribution to the social, economic and cultural fabric of the County is valued.
This will be underpinned by a South Dublin Age Friendly Alliance that is committed to enhancing the quality of life of older people in South Dublin through a co-ordinated and strategic approach to age friendly initiatives.
The following values will shape the strategy:
- To encourage the participation of older adults in all the all social, economic and cultural activities
- To promote intergenerational learning to facilitate the reciprocal sharing of expertise between generations.
- To ensure that the Age Friendly Alliance Members research agenda is informed by the needs of an ageing society.
- To enhance access for older adults to health and wellness opportunities in the County
- Age Friendly Alliance Members will actively engage with their own retired communities
- To ensure regular consultation with organizations representing the interests of the ageing population
Age Friendly County Themes
There are nine specific Age Friendly Themes, as developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), that are considered to be the factors most affecting the quality of life of older people. These themes are also linked to both the National Positive Ageing Strategy (NPAS) and are as follows:
- Transportation
- Housing
- Social Participation
- Respect & Inclusion
- Civic participation & Employment
- Communication & Information
- Community Support & Health Services
- Outdoor Spaces & Public Buildings
- Security and Safety
HaPAI Research
A survey was carried out by the Age Friendly Cities and Counties Programme and the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative in 2016. This report is the outcome of a collaboration between the South Dublin Age Friendly County programme and the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative (HaPAI). It provides evidence about the determinants of health, wellbeing and quality of life for older people. The information in this report will support the development of a revised Age Friendly Strategy and monitoring of the Age Friendly County Programme and will inform planning for an ageing population in South Dublin County.
Potential Actions for Age Friendly County Strategy 2020 – 2024
Transport
Background Data / Challenges
- All respondents to the HaPAI study reported that public transport was available within a 15 minute walk of their house and 6.9% reported it was difficult to access.
- 11% of 70+ used public bus compared to 13% of 55+
- 7% of 55+ - reported that a lack of transport in South Dublin causes difficulty for socialising or completing essential tasks
- 19% of 70+ don’t drive
- 17% of 70+ reported walking difficulties.
- 60% of people in the local authority area rated public transport as good or excellent, compared with 50% nationally.
- 6.1% of People 55+ rated public transport as Poor/Very Poo
Sample Possible Actions Areas/Proposals
- Facilitate consultation on with older persons on future public transport initiatives.
- Age Friendly Parking spaces at County Buildings/other public buildings and locations around the County.
- Safety and security on Public transport
2. Housing
Background Data / Challenges
- 7% of People aged 55+ reported problems with the condition of their home;
- 13% of people aged 55+ have problems with the upkeep of their homes.
- 15% of people aged 55+ were unable to keep their houses adequately warm in the last 12 months.
- 8,2% would like help with bills/upkeep for housing
- 36% would consider moving to an adapted type house
Sample Possible Actions Areas/Proposals
- Conduct “right-sizing” research study with Age Friendly Ireland;
- Mapping and analysis of under-occupied housing stock
- Develop policy for allocation of older persons’ accommodation supporting needs of older citizens / tenants including options for rightsizing of existing Council tenants’ accommodation
- Deliver housing for older persons at optimal locations to support the specific needs of older citizens, including through housing grants
- Partner with appropriate agencies/AHBs to provide appropriate supports in older persons’ accommodation developments
3. Social Participation
Background Data / Challenges
- 20% of people aged 55-69 which is 1 in 5 participate in a community group at least weekly.
- In the aged 70+ category its 1 in 3 which equates to 31% of people aged 70+.
- 21% of 70+ reported the social activities available don’t interest them
- 1 in 2 of 55+ meet socially with relatives, friends and colleagues at least once per week
Sample Possible Actions Areas/Proposals
- Promote the use of cultural and natural amenities in SDCC (Parks, Community Centres, Theatre,)
- Facilitate an expanded range of social and cultural events for older people through the Arts Office and Libraries
- Support through Older Persons Groups and activities through the Community Grants Scheme.
- South Dublin County council will continue to participate in the Annual Bealtaine Festival held in May which encourages, inspires creativity amongst older people and showcases their creativity and talents.
- Social Inclusion agenda to include activities / interventions identified by older people
4. Respect and Inclusion
Background Data / Challenges
- 5% of those aged 55-69 and 14% of those aged 70+ said that they experienced negative attitudes or behaviour towards them as an older person.
- The top two sources of negative attitudes and behaviours experienced by people aged 55+
- 6.1% was from younger people
- 1.5% from those providing services in the financial sector.
Sample Possible Actions Areas/Proposals
- Age Friendly principles will be considered in developing the new Local Economic and Community Plan
- Alliance Members plans/policies will be proofed for age friendly support
- Tus Nua will work with the Public Participation Network and nomination process and local structures to ensure that the voice of older people is represented on as many community groups as possible.
5. Civic Participation and Employment
Background Data / Challenges
- 1 in 4 people aged 55-69 and almost 1 in 5 people aged 70+ Volunteer at least once a month. 9% of over 55’s Volunteer at least weekly;
- 70% are satisfied with the amount of time they spend volunteering
- 19% would like to increase the amount of time they spend Volunteering
- 56% are satisfied with the range of volunteering options on offer.
Sample Possible Actions Areas/Proposals
- Secure a commitment from all Alliance members to meet with the Tus Nua at least once a year
- South Dublin works in partnership with the south Dublin Volunteer centre. South Dublin will continue to support this partnership and encourage members of the community to get in touch and create awareness of its services
- Provide and promote opportunities for older people to participate in their communities through, for example Community Centres, Volunteer Centre
- Ensure that South Dublin County Council’s LEO office commitment to Providing start your own business courses, mentoring and additional Services is available to older people with business ideas”
6. Communication and Information
Background Data / Challenges
- The top three sources of information for over 55’s in south Dublin are National Radio (77%) Television - 66% and Newspapers with 72%.
- For people ages 55-69 - 76% relied on Television and 75% on National Radio.
- For People ages 70+ 83% relied on National radio and 78% relied on Television.
- 40% of Residents aged 70+ did not use the internet compared to 16% of people aged 55-69.
- 6% of people aged 55+ have difficulty accessing information about Health or Social Care compared to 5.3% for people aged 70+ and 1.7% aged 55-69.
- In relation to gaining access to information about Health or Social care 1.3% of people aged 55-69 felt that they have difficultly compared to 7.3% of people aged 70+.
Sample Possible Actions Areas/Proposals
- Publish annual Active 55+ Planner to help older people find information on what’s going on every day in their Local Area
- Supporting Tus Nua in disseminating information to member groups.
- Facilitate 2/4 meetings annually between SDCC/Gardai and Tus Nua
- Support Friendly Alliance to meet every quarter and review Strategy Implementation
7. Community Support and Health Services
Background Data / Challenges
- 65% of People aged 55-69 and 57% of People aged 70+ say that their health is good or Very Good.
- 11% of People aged 70+ say that Health is bad or very bad.
- 24% of People aged 55+ currently smoke (higher than the national average of 14%)
- The most common health conditions experienced by adults age 55+ in south Dublin and nationally are Arthritis, High Blood Pressure or Hypertension, High Cholesterol and Diabetes.
Sample Possible Actions Areas/Proposals
- Promotion of existing sporting and physical exercise opportunities and programmes run/funded by SDCC
- Develop programme on nutrition for older people
- Tagetted "We Can Quit" anti-smoking programmes for older persons
- Promote and support events for older persons throughout the Community Centre Network (and other facilities)
8. Outdoor Spaces and Public Buildings
Background Data / Challenges
- 6% of people ages 55-69 felt that they had great difficulty accessing essential services (Public Services, Banking Etc) compared to 7.6% of people aged 70+.
- 76% of 55-69 and 64% of 70+ stated that they had no difficulty.
- 2% of people aged 55-69 and 9.5% of people aged 70+ stated that they had great difficulty accessing social recreational services.
- 75% of 55-69 and 72% of 70+ had no difficulty
Sample Possible Actions Areas/Proposals
- Enhanced & targeted promotion of use of parks and outdoor gym equipment and other recreational facilities
- Provision of age friendly services by Library Services
- South Dublin County Council will ensure that Age and Dementia Friendly design and planning principals are embedded in all local authority planning and development.
- Easy access to Public buildings, ensure that public counters have a seating area, and access to public buildings via automatic doors
9. Safety and Security.
Background Data/Challenges
- 13% of people reported and experience that has left them concerned about their Personal Safety.
- 57% reported this experience occurring more than once.
- 54% reported feeling safe when out and about at night compared to 70% during the day,
Sample Possible Actions Areas/Proposals
- Continued work with An Garda Siochana in relation to there strategy on safety for older persons
- Support from An Garda Siochana and membership on the Alliance.
- Continuation of the Lock Scheme.
- Continuation of the South Dublin County Council Carbon Monoxide Scheme
Next Steps to Develop an Age Friendly County Strategy:
- Review previous strategy and best practice in this area
- Detailed analysis of key date for South Dublin County
- Liaise with Age Friendly Ireland & National Shared Service
- Consult as appropriate with Age Friendly Alliance members & key local groups/agencies
- SPC Working Group to Examine Data & Recommendations
- Present to SPC & full Council