Council podcast discusses how Meath's senior citizens 'can live our best and longest lives'

How we can live our best and longest lives in Meath is explored in the newest episode of Local Lens, Meath County Council’s flagship podcast series.

The fourth episode of the second season talks to Catherine McGuigan of Age Friendly Ireland, Valerie McHugh, Age Friendly Meath Programme Manager and Brian Hora, Senior Executive Officer, Community Department with Meath County Council.

Presenter, Elaine Keogh also visited Tirlán Country Life Garden Centre in Athboy where she spoke with branch manager, Darren Kelly and customer, Mary Bradley of the Older Persons Council about the age friendly facilities at the business.

“My role is one of privilege,” says Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer, Age Friendly Ireland which is a shared service across the 31 local authorities in Ireland and hosted nationally by Meath County Council.

The last census found the population of Meath had grown by 13 percent and that the number of people aged over 65 in the county increased by 30 percent.

Catherine has worked for and on behalf of older people for over twenty-five years and in the April episode of Local Lens she discusses her role, her priorities, what makes a county ‘age friendly,’ and what it is about the structure of Age Friendly Ireland that works so well.

“We're responding to the needs of an ageing population and paving the way for future policies that will make sure our older people are looked after,” she says.

When to comes to retirement, most people want flexibility, Catherine explains. "Some would love to retired between 60 and 65 .....some want to work into their seventies."

Also talking to host Elaine Keogh about policies and initiatives implemented in county Meath are Valerie McHugh, Age Friendly Meath Programme Manager and Brian Hora, Senior Executive Officer, Community Department with Meath County Council.

Brian says collaboration “lies at the heart of the age friendly programme work here in Meath. It takes a strong network of partners and each (partner) brings their own expertise to support older adults in every aspect of life.”

Brian says, “age friendly principles are embedded in our plans and strategies.”

Valerie’s role includes engagement and communication with older people. “I consult with the Meath Age Friendly Alliance and the Meath Older Persons Council to identify what the local priorities are. When these are identified, I contact local community groups to get these projects and initiatives off the ground.”

An example of these initiatives is the Older Persons Supports and Services Index which helps older people find the services they need.

Throughout the episode it is clear the voices of older people take centre-stage particularly through the Older People’s Councils.

The Tirlán Garden Centre in Athboy employs a number of initiatives to make the business more accessible to older people.

Manager, Darren Kelly, explains there are age friendly parking spaces close to the door, there is a chair beside the counter and staff members can go and pick up the items the customers want, if they need them too. There are also glasses at the counter for those who forget their glasses. "The floor is completely flat and we have age friendly trolleys that you an lean on."

Mary Bradley who is a member of the Older Persons Council and the Meath Age Friendly committee says initiatives like this have a great impact. "It is like a welcome mat at the door. It is fantastic, it makes older people feel seen."

This episode is available now on all major platforms and wherever you get your podcasts.