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First ever National Positive Ageing Forum allows older people play a meaningful role in shaping their own communities and leading change

Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Helen McEntee TD addresses Inaugural National Positive Ageing Forum

Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Helen McEntee T.D. said today (Thursday) that the first ever National Positive Ageing Forum is a key opportunity for older people to play a meaningful role in shaping their own communities and leading the changes needed in society.

Minister McEntee today spoke at the inaugural National Positive Ageing Forum, which has been established as part of the implementation of the National Positive Ageing Strategy. The Strategy highlights that ageing is not just a health issue, but requires a whole of Government approach to address a range of factors that affect the health and wellbeing of our ageing citizens.

Minister McEntee said “The purpose of today’s Forum is to allow organisations representing the views, needs and concerns of older people to work together to identify key priorities the Government should focus on in the coming year. It will also provide organisations with the chance to communicate with the relevant Government Departments or Agencies, enabling them to engage in discussions on what progress can be achieved. Engaging with these organisations, who know the views of older people first-hand, and learning about what matters to them and what changes would make a difference in their lives is essential. As Minister I am working to ensure that the needs of older people are heard and that we are in a position to respond to those needs”.

Minister McEntee emphasised the importance of the great work being carried out in Ireland by organisations representing our older and ageing population, and said “The opportunities these organisations provide to older people to learn and reskill allow people to become more involved in society as active citizens and play a meaningful role in shaping their own communities and leading the changes needed”.

The Minister concluded by thanking all participants in the forum for their time and their willingness to make the forum a great success.

Notes to Editors 

The National Positive Ageing Strategy was published on 24 April 2013 and provides a framework for cooperation to address age-related policy and service delivery across Governm The National Positive Ageing Strategy highlights that ageing is not just a health issue, but requires a whole of Government approach to address a range of social, economic and environmental factors that affect the health and wellbeing of our ageing citizens.ent and society in the years ahead.
The Strategy is intended to promote older people’s health and well being so that older people can continue to contribute to social, economic, cultural and family life in their own communities for as long as possible, thereby representing a vision for an age-friendly society. The Strategy highlights that ageing is not just a health issue, but rather requires a whole of Government approach to address a range of social, economic and environmental factors that affect the health and wellbeing of our ageing citizens.