News & Events

More must be done to ensure people can lead healthy, independent lives well into their old age, according to Active Retirement Ireland (ARI).  Commenting today (07.01.11) in the wake of price increases announced by the VHI, Maureen Kavanagh, Chief Executive Officer of ARI, said it was disheartening to see older people being portrayed as an ever-increasing burden on Ireland’s health system. 

 

“The reaction to this price increase by the VHI – and, indeed, the attitude of the VHI itself – shows there is a perception in Irish society that all older people are a drain on our health services, and that this situation will only get worse over the coming years, as Ireland’s population ages,” she said.

 

“Active Retirement Ireland does not accept the view that, as our population continues to live for longer, older people will become more and more of a burden on our services.  We know from the experiences of our 23,000 members that if older people are supported to keep mentally and physically healthy, they can continue to lead independent lives well into their old age and are far less likely to need ongoing support from the health system.

 

“Rather than being fatalistic about our ageing population and viewing it merely as a growing drain on our services, Irish society needs to think about how we can support older people to live healthily and independently.  The Government must continue to support organisations – like our own and others in the ageing sector – that work to ensure older people don’t see hospitals or residential care as their only option. 

 

“Community-based health services; effective public transport networks; and programmes for leisure and fitness activities are all needed to ensure older people in Ireland remain healthier for longer.”