Meet the Irish women who is standing up for our elderly

HELEN CAMPBELL is the new vice president to AGE Platform Europe, which provides a voice for the 150 million senior citizens in the European Union.

She is delighted to be representing Ireland.

“I think it is important to have a strong Irish voice there,’’ she says.

“This platform goes all the way to the United Nations, so particularly now, with the financial difficulties we are all suffering, it will be interesting to compare ideas and see how other countries, like Spain, Portugal and Greece deal with these issues and the impact on their older people.

“And, of course, for us, it is important to give them information on how Ireland is coping and struggling through it too.’’

Campbell, 63, is education and training manager in Age and Opportunity, an Irish charity offering support for older people, and hopes to break down the stereotypical view of older people and change attitudes.

“I think it’s important to be positive, and not just see the problems. We are talking about changing the lives and helping people age 50 up to, hopefully, 100.

“This is the first time in history that here has been this [huge] cohort of people, so in a way we are creating a new model of being older and breaking from the stereotypes from the past and I think that is very exciting.’’

AGE Platform Europe was established in 2001 and represents more than160 organisations to raise awareness on issues that concern older people from anti-discrimination policies, active ageing, and social inclusion to health policies, accessibility and solidarity between generations.

Campbell is one of four vice presidents recently elected and will be in the post for three years. She is determined to make a difference.

“I think it is so important when we are talking to policy makers to focus on the potential of older people rather than the problems. Ageing has always been seen in stereotypes.

If there is a news item on RTÉ they always show older people shuffling around in slippers. You certainly don’t see them wearing Jimmy Choos,’’ she says.

“These are very exciting times. Older people are wondering what they are going to do with the rest of their lives, rather than in the past deciding to fade away gracefully.’’

Helen points out that many of the positive ageing initiatives in Ireland have slowly helped break down the stereotypes and hopes to demonstrate this in Europe too.

“Here, we have had a lot going on around ageing, so many have had the age-friendly initiatives that really have helped to change the language around ageing.

“I think that language conditions attitude and I would like to bring that perspective to Europe.

“So we would be taking about the potential of older people and resources rather than all the problems. Whenever we see anything about the ageing demography people seem to panic and say ‘Oh God, what is going to happen?’ But it could actually be every exciting,’’ she says.

With the new European Parliament election in May 2014, Campbell believes this is the perfect opportunity to ensure older people’s concerns and worries are heard.

“We must challenge our MEPs and ask, ‘What are you going to do to help?’ It is not all about money, though obviously it is important when you don’t have any, but I think it is also about changing attitudes.

“The whole thing is to have the voice of older people being heard in the decision- making process that affects them,’’ she says.

Brain power: Would you like to improve your memory? Scientists have now revealed that older people can boost their brain power simply by learning a new skill or hobby.

However the new activity must be slightly demanding, pushing the person “outside their comfort zone’’ to achieve the required results.

“It seems it is not enough just to get out and do something, it is important to get out and do something unfamiliar and mentally challenging that provides broad stimulation mentally and socially,” says Dr Denise Park, of Texas University, Dallas, who led the research.

Seniors’ show: The Senior Times Over 50s Show is returning to Co Kilkenny on Nov 24. After last year’s successful inaugural event, the show’s organisers have decided to once again return to the luxurious five-star Lyrath Estate and Convention Centre. The event will open from 11am to 6pm on both days.

The show will have more than 80 exhibitors with free advice on health, pensions, holidays and fashion make-overs.

There will also be cooking demonstrations, wine tasting and art classes. With up to 20,000 people expected to attend, it’s best to get there early.

! www.seniortimes.ie

Get going: Are you computer literate? Do you know how to use a mobile phone? Does new technology worry you? Then why not sign up to one of Age Action’s “Getting Started” courses.

The courses are open to people over the age of 55 and take place across the country. To date, more than 14,500 older people have signed up and the courses have been specially devised to offer support and encouragement. The computer courses run for four to eight weeks, with one class a week.

For more, contact Age Action on 01-475 6989 or email [e-mail].

Awareness workshop: Age and Opportunity is holding the next Agewise workshop on Nov 12 at its headquarters in Dublin.

The aim of the workshop is to raise awareness of ageism in the workplace and how such attitudes should be dealt with and improved.

The workshop is from 10am to 12.30pm and is open to any organisation or individual, but booking is essential.

For more information contact Fiona Holohan on 01-8057798 or see www.ageandopportunity.ie.