The population is ageing and more people are living longer. Today there are around 600 million people, by 2050 this will have reached two billion. In the South Eastern Trust area there are approximately 64,000 people over 65 and by 2025 this will have increased to 80,000, a large proportion of our society.
The United Nations International Day for Older People is highlighted on the 1st October to recognise and celebrate the achievements of older people. The theme this year is ‘Resilience of Older People in a Changing World.’ This theme is timely after the challenges posed for older people during the Covid-19 pandemic. While many older people have been able to integrate back into society many others continue to experience increased loneliness, social isolation and a detrimental impact on their emotional wellbeing, making it more difficult for some older people to re-engage in their communities.
The Caring Communities Safe & Well Service can help older people re-engage in their community. The service supports people who are feeling lonely, are 65 years and over, living the South Eastern HSC Trust area by providing a holistic needs assessment, signposting and referral to a range of services to reduce loneliness and improve health and wellbeing. For more information and refer to the service contact safeandwell@setrust.hscni.net or telephone 028 9756 6934.
To coincide with the UN International Day for Older People, October is Positive Ageing Month which celebrates the contribution older people make to their communities. Ards and North Down Council, Newry, Mourne and Down Council and Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council in partnership with the South Eastern Trust are highlighting Positive Ageing Month, by offering a range of activities and events that older people can avail of to re-connect, meet new people and make friends.
Check out events as follows:
Ards and North Down Council:
www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/resident/community-planning/positive-ageing-month
Email: agefriendly@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Telephone: 0774 110 3277
Newry Mourne and Down Council
Telephone: 0330 137 4024
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council
www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/
Email: agefriendly@lisburncastlreagh.gov.uk
Telephone: (028) 9244 7327