Senior Citizens Parliament new Facebook page
The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament have a new Facebook page.
Fair Deal - Nursing home scheme in crisis
The 'Fair Deal' nursing home scheme which provides care to around 22,600 people in public and private nurisng homes appears to be in crisis this evening.
Minister for Health Dr James Reilly has been informed by officials that there is no further funding available beyond the current number of old people covered under the scheme, which was introduced in October 2009.
A spokesperson for the Minister has said he is 'seriously concerned' that a situation has arisen so early in the year that a funding problem has arisen, which he became aware of in recent days.
Mr Reilly has asked the HSE and Department of Health officials to prepare proposals on how the scheme can operate for the rest of the year.
While applications will continue to be accepted and processed, there is no funding for cover beyond the current ceiling.
The effect is that older people may have to go onto a waiting list for a nursing home place.
Over €1.1bn was provided for the 'Fair Deal' scheme this year, which was introduced by the previous Minister for Health Mary Harney.
Under the scheme, people get nursing home care by paying 80% of their income and 5% of the value of their assets a year, with the HSE paying the balance.
It allows people to pay for some of their care from the proceeds of sale of their house, after their death.
The Department of Health says the funding for the scheme is under pressure due to increases in the cost of care, demand for the scheme and other factors.
The Voice of Older People, Donegal firmly belive that ultimately it is the health needs of the peoplethat are of the main inportance, and we are calling on the Goverment to implement whatever measures are required to to ensure that older people who need care get it without any undue stess or worry over financial burden.
Age Action Ireland has said the Government has to resolve the 'nightmare situation' which has arisen with the Fair Deal nursing home scheme as quickly as possible.
Eamon Timmins, head of advocacy at Age Action, said older people looking for a nursing home place were now faced with two options, having to pay the full cost to get a bed in a public or private nursing home, or waiting until a person dies in a home and a bed becomes free.
He said the intention of the new scheme was to put older people's minds at ease about access to nursing home care but tonight older people would be frightened.
Fianna Fail health spokesperson Billy Kelleher said that anyone who is currently in hospital and has been assessed as needing a long term nursing home bed is now stuck in limbo.
He criticised the Health Minister for effectively putting a freeze on the funding.
Appointment of Minister Kathleen Lynch as Minister for Older People
Minister Lynch’s priority will be to complete and implement the National Positive Ageing Strategy as outlined in the Programme for Government. Her responsibilities also include ensuring the supply of more and better care for older people in the community and in residential settings, a further priority of this Government.
The Minister for Health and Children, Dr James Reilly said he was “very pleased that Minister Lynch had taken on this very important role". He described Minister Lynch as “the perfect choice for the post of champion of, and advocate for, older people”.
Minister Lynch said she was “delighted to accept the responsibility” assigned to her and “is very much looking forward to engaging and working with all stakeholders to drive the Government’s agenda in this area and ensure that older people, who have contributed so much to Irish society, can continue to live in their own homes and communities as is their wish”.
New Cabinet Team takes to the Pitch; But ‘Older People’s Minister’ Left on the Side lines,
The Voice of Older People Donegal is shocked at the new Government’s decision not to appoint a junior minister with responsibility for older people or ageing in the new administration.
There has been a junior minister in this position for the past 14 years; and failing to appoint someone appears to be acknowledgement that the issues pertaining to older people are not recognized or valued.
We are living in an ageing society, one which is faced with massive challenges in terms of addressing the ‘practical needs’ as well as the ‘policy needs’ of Older citizens of Ireland; and further the issues that affect older people spiral outward to affect all of society, so therefore it is difficult to understand and comprehend the rationale for deciding now at this point to unceremoniously ‘drop’ this important Position.
We realize that the recently appointed Governmental administration faces significant challenges, probably more than any previous administration in the history of the State; however, we also strongly feel that post of minister for older people is central in guiding key elements of policy through, such as the National Positive Ageing Strategy. The current programme for government, states this strategy will be completed and implemented, but without a minister for older people it is now unclear who will be responsible for undertaking this work.
The failure to appoint a minister with responsibility for this area places a major question mark over how much of the age-related policies in the programme for government will actually be delivered. At a time when other countries are endeavoring to come to terms with the challenges of ageing, the decision by this administration does not bode well.
Have you had enough Doom & Gloom??? Then Laugh yourself silly with the Hillarious 'Family Fever' in aid of the Voice of Older People Donegal
Sun Mar 20th Mon Mar 21st, Tues 22nd Mar (note extra day****)
Just two days before Christmas, the Galbraith family finds itself in chaos when the married daughter is rushed into hospital for the 'happy event'.
All three night of this manic comedy are for a good cause Sunday in aid of Cloghan Day Care Centre, Monday in aid of The Balor Arts Centre and Tuesday in aid of Voice Of Older People, Donegal so laugh yourself silly while helping to raise much needed funds for community organisations in your area.
South of the Border -
Ballroom of romance
On Saturday 28th November The Voice of Older People held its first South of the Border Ballroom of Romance in Ballyshannon. The dramatic part of the evening was presented by the Ballytour Players under the directorship of Maura Logue.
The company also joined us on Wednesday 2nd and Saturday 5th December in Donegal Town and Ardara where the craic was mighty!
We have commissioned Maura to work with groups in all our 7 network areas if there is a demand and so if you and your members would like to re-live those days of the 50’s Parish Hall dances and are willing to commit several weeks to rehearsals please let us know.
Fortunately the three dances were held in local hotels who were generous enough to give us their venue free of charge as they were happy to be associated with a community event like this one; perhaps you would like to run the evening as a fund-raiser? The Donegal Town groups asked that some of their door money go to a local charity, Blue Stacks Foundation.
The Milford 65+ Group are holding a fund-raising dance on Friday, 26th February and any one looking for a different night out and a bit of a laugh should mark this date in their diary.
AGM Details
On Thursday 12th November the Voice of Older People, Donegal held its Annual General Meeting in the Isaac Butt Visitor’s Centre in Cloghan.
The meeting was attended by our accountant, Dessie Lynch from Brian McDaid & Company, who presented the Company’s accounts and chaired the election of the new committee and directors.
Due to the resignation of 3 directors during the year there was no requirement for any of the attending directors to step down. Mary McGeehan (Buncrana), Breege Connor (Bundoran) and Angela Apitius (Letirmacaward) were all nominated and agreed to join our Board. The committee paid tribute to Roisin Lee who has stepped down from the committee on health grounds.
Our current Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer were all thanked for their work over the past year and re-elected unopposed.
Staff gave an outline of the work that the Project is planning over the next year, including the development and support of the seven networks, the working with Donegal County Council to building of a “Older Adult-Friendly County” and the introduction of training for members interested in expanding their advocacy and leadership skills.
The Company would like to thank all those who attended the meeting, and the staff at the visitors centre who looked after us so well.
The Voice of Older People is managed by a fourteen-person Management Committee, elected annually at our AGM. The date of this meeting is circulated to all the groups and individuals on our data base.
The staff are based in The Volt House in Raphoe and are always contactable for advice and information sharing.
