Empowering Positive Ageing: Join the Conversation, Have Your Seat at the Policy Table

Deputy Emer Higgins, local Government TD and Fine Gael Equality spokesperson has invited the public to participate in a transformative journey towards Positive Ageing. “Through a detailed survey, we actively seek the voices and experiences of individuals, families, and active retirement groups to help shape policies that not only reflect but celebrate the diverse needs and aspirations of our ageing population,” Deputy Higgins explained.

“This survey is a really important step in our effort to understand the importance of positive ageing. It provides us with the opportunity to gauge how people currently perceive the support systems and structures in place for positive ageing. By doing so, we can uncover obstacles that require our attention, identify areas in need of improvement, and gather valuable insights from individual stories,”.

While acknowledging the presence of a wonderful community of supports for Positive Ageing, Deputy Higgins also recognizes that there is still work to be done. She states, “I fully understand that addressing the needs of the ageing population in Ireland requires a continued journey. Positive ageing encompasses far more than just physical health; it includes various other critical factors such as mental health, social connections, access to healthcare, financial security, housing, safety, and numerous equally important elements”.

“I've had the privilege of engaging with numerous older individuals within our community, and I've come to understand that many of them often express a sense of inadequate support while others believe that their opinions and voices often go unheard,”. This survey signifies the beginning of a meaningful dialogue between local citizens and government representatives. After completing the survey, individuals are invited to participate in 'Policy Kitchens'. These are interactive sessions where participants, collectively, will tackle essential questions. As Deputy Higgins explained, “these questions cover a wide range of essential topics, including how we can ensure that every citizen enjoys fulfilling retirements at different stages of life, how we can effectively plan for financial security as we age, how we can guarantee suitable accommodations and resources, and how we can actively promote the well-being, interests, and relationships of our aging citizens,”.

Deputy Higgins emphasises, “this inclusive initiative welcomes individuals, retirement groups, and local service providers from our diverse community, all coming together to pave the way for a brighter future for retirees and their families, enabling every Irish citizen to age with dignity, respect, and the opportunity to live independently for as long as possible,”.

Anyone wishing to take part in the survey can give their views at the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/FG_Policy_Lab_Positive_Ageing_Survey