Irish Senior Programmes
and Resources
Older persons bring many advantages to our daily societal life: greater political participation, increasing voluntary organization participation, lower criminal activity,
work abilities and life experiences, and visual perception abilities and wisdom. Seniors value being able to age gracefully and with a positive attitude, being cared for with respect, dignity and affection, and, in turn, they care for the whole family.
The Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers, supported by the IAUSA pastoral network of chaplains, strive to offer a comprehensive life enrichment program of wellness—emotional, social, spiritual, physical and educational. In so doing, their goal is to increase the sense of purpose for the lives of their senior/elder community by encouraging them to be:
Part of Enjoyable Activities
Socially active
Creative in trying new things
Active in changing some routines to try something different
An “explorer” and a “traveler” toward new adventures
Curious to learn new things.
HELPFUL TIPS AND ADVICE FROM IRISH CENTERS TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL OUTREACH FOR SENIORS IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
Take the time to get to know the seniors, including who are they, demographics, geographic span of residences and current health abilities and health challenges e.g. use of walkers, wheelchairs, hearing etc.
Begin to plan some simple events – “get to know you” social events
Tips for communications:
Try email and/or telephone. Social media is not usually a preferred means of communication for the current senior population
As events increase, perhaps consider a posted and/or e-mailed newsletter of past and future events. Be mindful of the clarity of composition, size/color of font used and ease to find pertinent dates, contact names and their contact information.
Seniors really appreciate reminder calls of upcoming events as they feel a personal connection and invitation. more of a personal invitation.
Regular ads/notices in the local Irish American News media and local Irish radio stations can broaden the base of invitation.
Offering food during an event is always a draw – even if simple tea and pastries. Hosting luncheons occasionally provide another means of socialization.
Think about your venue
As a senior program expends and/or tries to expand its participants, it is important that the locale is suitable, that is – within reasonable geographic distance, accessible (elevator, ramps, limited stairs).
Try to find a site that is bright, good heat in cold weather, and accommodates the size of the group. Too large a space with a small number of people can be perceived as a failure. Perception trick: set up fewer chairs than the number expected. When you need to get more chairs, it is perceived that more came than were expected. seems like the “crowd
Watch the acoustics and need for microphones (hearing) and good visual equipment, if needed (eyesight)
Comprehensive Planning of Senior Events
As your senior programme develops assess your offerings of events, activities, and outreach in these various areas:
SOCIAL:
Weekly or monthly activities (routine is important here e.g. every Thursday @ 1:00pm; 2nd Tuesday of the month, etc.)
Trips and Travel – mind the cost, length and varied ability to travel
How many able-bodied volunteers are needed to do the event/activity?
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL:
Exercise and mobility are important for physical and emotional health: offerings of yoga/chair yoga; mind games to stimulate the brain e.g. cards, trivia
Mental health care and outreach. Isolation/mobility challenges/distance of family members are often causes of deteriorating mental health for seniors. Who is the designated person(s)/volunteers to provide health and wellness checks and referrals?
Service projects: Giving back to the community can provide a “selfless” outlet that increases physical and emotional well-being. Knitting/crocheting clubs of baby items/winter hats, card writing to those in hospitals/nursing care facilities etc.
Music, Dance, Irish culture
EDUCATIONAL:
It is important to promote attitudes that we never stop learning, learning from one another and the value of curiosity.
Input on topics of interest is appreciated: social security and pensions when moving back to Ireland, keeping track of finances, health care services available etc. Each locale has differing needs and resources
Irish Culture, language study, computer skills, cellphone skills – all are topics of interest
Arm chair Travel programmes offer a way to know the “wider world”. Use AA resources, decorate and socialize based on the theme of the travel, food from the place visited, local speakers etc.
Intergenerational programmes of “story-telling Young listening to the elders and vice versa
Tips about Personnel and Budgets:
Preparing and hosting all these various events/activities takes time and energy. There is need for personnel to coordinate and plan, able-bodied volunteers to assist and drivers to help get participants to the venue/event
Most seniors live on a fixed retirement income. There is a need to keep events at minimal cost, as possible, and to have a realistic projected budget to support the financial needs of the planned activities.
NOTE: Most Coalition Irish Immigration Centers have some outreach programming for Seniors. For further information contact the Center nearest you; you can find them by clicking here.
PASTORAL, SPIRITUAL & SACRAMENTAL OUTREACH FOR SENIORS
A significant value in the daily life of the current senior population is their Catholic faith and religious practices. The Irish Apostolate USA supports a small cadre of clergy chaplains, who at present, provide pastoral care and sacraments for the Irish community and, in particular seniors. Aside from Catholic Sacraments, qualified laypersons can provide for the spiritual and pastoral needs of seniors. However, the current senior culture preference is still tied to the priest or Sister. Further expansion of both the personnel available and change of attitude is needed for on-going spiritual care in the future.
Their outreach includes the corporal works of mercy:
Feed the hungry and thirsty, shelter the homeless and cloth the naked: These social service needs met by the social service component of an Irish Center oftentimes have deeper personal needs to show dignity, value, love, care, aid in counseling the roots of those made poor. This is the pastoral dimension of life.
Visit the sick and imprisoned: hospital/nursing homes, prison and detention outreach of incarcerated. All these circumstances involve other family members also, who equally need loving and caring support.
Bury the dead: Wake services, funeral Masses, counseling the grieving, bereavement groups
Other Pastoral Care and Sacramental Outreach Activities
Monthly Masses for Senior often tied to some social or educational event
Promoting devotions – rosary, feastday celebrations: St. Patrick, St Brigid
Masses for special occasions: wedding anniversaries, house blessings
Assistance in wake/funeral planning
Family counseling needs
Assistance in dealing with health and aging concerns of a parent by their children
In general, Spiritual and Sacramental outreach among the current Senior population is relationship building: deepening one’s faith in Christ through sacraments and prayer, building up of community and accompanying individuals in times of need and times of joy.
Resources in the United States to Aid Irish Seniors
STAY CONNECTED
A new resource provides information for seniors and their caregivers on the ten best tablets for seniors based on relevant features, build quality, and price range, along with available financial assistance You can view it here: https://www.caring.com/best-tablets-for-seniors/.
AARP
The AARP is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for seniors. They promote positive social change and deliver value to members through information, advocacy and service.
Social Security
Everything you need to know about Social Security can be found at http://www.ssa.gov or by calling 800-772-1213
Veterans’ Benefits
Information about Veterans Benefits can be found at the Department of Veterans Affairs at www.vba.va.gov or call 888-838-7697
Resources in Ireland to Aid Irish Seniors
The Safe Home Programme
The Safe-Home Program is a national organization that assists older Irish-born emigrants to return to their homeland. They work to secure housing in the voluntary sector that is specifically for the older applicants as near to their original home as possible. For information on affordable housing options for seniors who want to return to Ireland
Saint Brendan’s Village
Mulranny, County Mayo, Ireland
Phone + 011 353 98 36036
www.safehomeireland.com
safehomeireland@eircom.net
Pension
Irish seniors currently living in the U.S. may be entitled to an Irish / part Irish pension, you can access the application form online on the Department of Social and Family Affairs www.gov.ie search pensions or call:
Irish Pensions Services Office
College Road, Sligo
011-353-71-9169800
Department of Social & Family Affairs
Oisin House
Pearse Street, Dublin
011-353-17043000
www.gov.ie
The Northern Ireland Social Services Agency in Belfast
DHSSPS has three main business responsibilities: Health and Social Care which covers policy and legislation for hospitals, family practitioner service and community health and personal social services; Public Health which covers policy, legislation and administrative action to promote the health and well-being of the population; and Public Safety which covers policy and legislation for fire and rescue services.
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
DHSSPS
Castle Buildings
Stormont Estate
Belfast
BT4 3SJ
Tel: 028 9052 0500
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety website:
https://www.health-ni.gov.uk
Centenarian Awards
The Centenarian Bounty is an award made by the President of Ireland to citizens who have reached the age of 100 years. The eligibility criteria for the Centenarian Bounty include centenarians who are Irish citizens born in the island of Ireland who are resident outside the State. www.citizensinformation.ie › social_welfare › centenarian bounty