Learn to support older people

There are some subjects that society feels more comfortable not talking about.

Through the wonderful work of the Irish Hospice Foundation, the taboo of talking about death has been at least partially lifted. The Irish Hospice Foundation has excellent resources available on their website.

Northridge House Education Centre says that another taboo that needs exploring is the important issue around sexuality and the older adult.

It may be the material for humour but, the centre says that, rarely do people sit and acknowledge what may be a deeply emotive issue for individuals and their loved ones.

Northridge House Education Centre is part of the well known St Luke’s Home Charity providing residential care in Cork since 1872.

The innovative vocational training centre has created a new half day course entitled Intimacy, Sexuality, Ageing and Dementia which takes a rights based approach to supporting older people and in particular people living with dementia around the area of sexuality.

The course will be led by Eileen O’Keefe, the charity’s Clinical Nurse Manager and Specialist Dementia Advisor.

The course will run on the morning of 24 September or 21 November from 9.30am–12.30pm. It will be geared for those working with older adults in residential care or within the community setting.

For those looking for further details contact Claire 021-4536551 or see northridgehouse.ie.