Remarks by the President, Mary McAleese At the official opening of St. Brendan’s High Support
Remarks by the President, Mary McAleese At the official opening of St. Brendan’s High Support sheltered housing Development, Mu
Tá áthas mór orm bheith anseo I bhur measc inniu ag oscailt an tionscnaimh Tithíochta Naomh Breandáin do dhaoine aosta. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil go speisialta leis an Dochtúir Jerry Cowley, Cathaoirleach ar an Ionad Lae Tithíochta Teo, Mulranny, as a iarratas orm an dualgas taitneamhach seo a chomhlíonadh. Mar is eol daoibh, bímse sásta i gcónaí ócáid a bheith agam chun buaileadh le baill de ghrúpaí atá ag soláthar do riachtanaisí daoine aosta, cleithiúnacha agus mo thaca is mo spreagadh dá gcuid imeachtaí a chur in iúl.
This last year of the century and millennium has been dedicated by the UN to the elderly. Among the greatest changes our senior citizens have witnessed is the considerable increase in life expectancy, one of the great achievements of western societies in the twentieth century. Today’s improved quality of life, modern medicine, together with social policies, political will and community enterprise, have contributed hugely in enabling more and more people to live longer and more fulfilling lives.
It is only relatively recently, however, that society and individuals have begun to consider the implications of this great achievement. By the year 2000, one in four of the total European population will be an older citizen. In Ireland we are likely to see a significant increase in the number of older people, particularly those aged over 80 years of age. Indeed, the Centenarians Bounty which, as President, I am privileged to grant to all those who reach the age of 100, looks as if it will become a thriving little industry in its own right. With the number of older people set to rise, there will obviously be a need to change our attitudes to aging and older people. We never see ourselves as old, but reality is that we are all aging and some day old age will become a fact of life for each of us – this is an issue for us all.
We know that there are economic and financial consequences of everyone living longer, but it is, after all thanks to older people and the sacrifices all of you made in years gone by, that today’s generation can benefit from ever-increasing prosperity and opportunities. We owe you our heartfelt thanks for that.
There is so much to be said about the positive contribution of older people in Irish life – in politics, literature, music, amateur drama, voluntary work, community development and family life. Your work, your wisdom are the building blocks our society stands on.
I had the privilege last week of conferring Honorary Irish Citizenship on Derek Hill, who has donated his house in Donegal and a wonderful art collection to the Irish people. Derek is now in his eighties, but still painting away, and still living proof that age is no barriers to vitality. Despite this contribution, many people still have negative attitudes to old age and older people. It is not always appreciated that the majority of older people are healthy and active and leading independent lives, making enormous contributions to the quality of life of families, communities and country. In my own home one of the greatest gifts my husband and children have had has been the company of my father in law for seventeen years.
But there inevitably comes a time when people need some degree of care. I am glad to see that the cornerstone of policy in the care of older people is care in the community, with the overall aim being to keep people living in their own homes for as long as possible. The fear of being uprooted from family and friends is one of the greatest fears we all face. The statutory bodies do great work but benefit hugely from support by local voluntary effort. We are blessed in this country with the efforts and talents of a wide range of voluntary organisations. Mulranny Community Group is a perfect example of this and all of you who have given of your time and friendship to make it such a success deserve great effort. The successful partnership who have established with the Western Health Board – long may it continue.
One of the simplest needs of older people, especially in a rural area like this, is contact with others. Loneliness is so often the greatest scourge, as partners and friends die, as children live far away and contact is limited. Physical frailty too can mean less mobility, less opportunity to get out and about. We all thrive in an environment where we have friends, fresh new stories, new experiences to relate and to savour. That is what day care provides – a great antidote to aloneness. Day Care Centres perform an extremely important function in this regard as they enable older people to meet with their friends and avail of practical facilities such as meals, laundry facilities and health services. I know that the lack of transport facilities hinders many in other areas from availing of services such as these, so I am delighted to hear that Mulranny has provided a transport service for you.
Another fundamental need for all of us, particularly for the more vulnerable members of our society, is to feel safe and comfortable in our own homes with access to all relevant facilities in times of emergency or crisis. I congratulate for recognising the need to provide higher support levels for the members of your community who are reaching a stage in their lives where they need an extra helping hand. Mulranny and particularly to Dr. Cowley who has been the leading light behind all of these wonderful facilities. I hope that the great Irish tradition of community spirit, encompassing young and old, will continue long into the future. What this place tells our senior citizens is that we respect them, thank them and love them and that we are there for them as they were for us.
I ndeire na dála ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a rá as an gcuireadh cineálta a bheith I láthair anseo inniu. Anois, tá áthas orm a fhógairt go bhfuil an Tionscnamh Tithíochta Mulranny ar oscailt go hoifigiúil.