The North Western Health Board (covering Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and West Cavan) has a higher than average percentage of older clients. Over 14 per cent of the population are over 65, as compared to 11.4 per cent nationally; 6.4 per cent are over 75 years, as opposed to 4.8 per cent nationally. Only a small percentage of the older people live in residential care. Ninety-five per cent live at home. Nationally, 25.8 per cent of those aged over 65 live alone, while in the north west, the percentage is higher: 31.4 per cent in Leitrim, 26 per cent in Sligo and 27 per cent in Donegal. Most of those who live alone are women.
About 130 older people - mostly women - participate in Active Age groups created by Community Connections in the west Fermanagh, north Leitrim and west Cavan area (there is a men's group in north Leitrim). Community Connections is a cross-border community development initiative established in 1991. It is supported by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs' Community Development Programme, the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation and the North Western Health Board. The aim of the Active Age Project, which began in 1995, is to establish a network of groups which encourage a sense of independence and self-help among older people, many of whom are living in isolated areas, as well as helping to develop their interests and talents. The Active Age development officer is Brenda Whitley.
Rural Lift is a local transport initiative sponsored by Community Connections whereby people of all ages in the west Fermanagh, north Leitrim or west Cavan area can book a seat on a local bus, which will collect the person at his or her nearest crossroads, and has six routes. The exact route can vary each week depending on the needs of the customers.
Home support services in the area are provided by GPs, public health nurses and home helps. In 1999, the number of people in receipt of a home help service increased by 10 per cent. Other services include speech therapy, community nutrition and chiropody. Attendance at day centres for older people in the region were in excess of 40,000.
Last year, the International Year of the Older Person, a number of initiatives were put in place that are being developed further this year. These include an inter-generational arts development project in Sligo, and funding for house repairs in the Donegal area from the County Council.
A widow's non-contributory (means tested) pension is a maximum of £85.50 per week. Living Alone allowance is £6 per week. The Over-80 allowance is £5 per week. There is a fuel allowance for 26 weeks of the year from October to April of £5 a week (£8 in designated smokeless areas) for those in receipt of long-term social welfare or health board payments. All pensioners over 75 receive 200 free units of electricity every two months and free TV and telephone rental.
OWN is the Older Women's Network which has over 500 group and individual members all over Ireland. Key issues for OWN are the need for transport and the increased risk of poverty for older women. OWN makes links between older women through its Newsletter and its working groups. For details, phone Age and Opportunity at 018370570.
