Book espouses better way of living
“In 21st century Ireland, ensuring older people live comfortably and fulfilled for as long as possible is a societal responsibility.”
The assured words of author Pat O’Mahony who has just released his book ‘Rethinking Housing Options for Senior Citizens - Retirement Villages in Every Irish Community’.
Pat, a native of Inniscarra, envisions an Ireland in which our older citizens are fulfilled, independent and seamlessly integrated with the wider community.
According to Pat and his extensive knowledge and research, Ireland’s over 65 population is set to increase by 70 people every single day for the next 30 years.
However, many older people, irrespective of their means, reside in relative isolation, even when they live in urban areas, in homes unsuited to their needs.
Then, says Pat, as they become frail, their need for community-based healthcare and homecare often goes unmet. Consequently, many end up in expensive nursing homes prematurely.
“Australia and New Zealand have responded to this challenge by developing the retirement village model. Today, some 13 per cent of Australians and New Zealanders over 60 reside in retirement villages. If Ireland were to adopt this approach, it could enhance the lives of a significant proportion of our elderly,” he explains.
Pat, a former member of the Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), spent the majority of the ‘70s and ‘80s living in Australia where he worked as a teacher before taking over as a regional director of adult and continuing education in New South Wales.
According to Pat, housing alone, irrespective of its age-friendliness, is not enough and processes must be put in place to facilitate sustainable and mutually beneficial interactions between those living in the retirement village and those in the wider community.
“If we get the ‘village’ model right, many Irish in their golden years should be able to live with a high level of independence and a good quality of life for much longer than might otherwise be the case,” he says.
Interestingly, Pat says ensuring the quality of life of our elderly does not require the expenditure of large amounts of scarce public resources.
Rather, it requires a paradigm shift in the way we think about the older cohort in society. It also requires the State to put legislation and fit-for-purpose regulations in place.
“The retirement village is not a silver bullet for improving the quality of life of older people. There is much else that needs to be done. It can, however, make a significant contribution towards enhancing the lives of many older people and those who care for them.”
Paper back copies of ‘Rethinking Housing Options for Senior Citizens - Retirement Villages in Every Irish Community’ are available for €10 at retirementvillagesireland.ie.
They may also be purchased from selected bookshops, details of which are available on the website.