Social exclusion of elderly men ‘must be addressed’

A SURVEY of 94 elderly people in a Limerick parish found that while most of the women attend senior citizens’ clubs, only one of the 23 men do.

The report drawn up from the results of the survey recommends that more needs to be done to get elderly men out of the house for social engagements.

The elderly people, aged 65 and over, all live in St Munchin’s Parish.

The report, titled Ageing - An Opportunity, concluded that elderly people feel powerless and not consulted or taken into account on issues that affect their lives.

The elderly people interviewed live in Ballynanty, Thomondgate, Clancy Strand and Kileely. One third of those interviewed live on their own.

The report was commissioned by the St Munchin’s Family Resource Centre.

When asked about security, 23 out of the 94 (24%) said they didn’t feel secure in their own homes.

Only 57 availed of funding from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to have security systems installed.

“The survey indicates that security in the home remains a very important issue.

“The majority of those interviewed agree that alarms and lights offer the best form of security with the installation of door chains also favoured,” the report concludes.

Of the 71 women surveyed, 38 attend a senior citizens’ club in their own area.

Only one of the 23 men surveyed attends a senior citizens’ club.

The report said that although the majority of senior citizens living alone are women, it is important to target men as they are less likely to seek assistance than women.

“There is a need for social activities that attract male senior citizens, only one of whom currently attends a senior citizens’ club,” the report said.

“The majority of men do not have home help and while they avail of some services, the current level of uptake also suggests that more needs to be done to reach this group.”

It also found that elderly people encounter difficulty in getting even minor repairs carried out to their homes, both owner occupiers and those renting from Limerick City Council.