Age Action AGM to discuss challenges facing elderly

Age Action, the charity for the elderly, will hold its Annual General Meeting in Croke Park in Dublin today.

Those at the meeting, which will mark the charity's 20th anniversary, will reflect on the major changes that have influenced the lives of older people in Ireland over the last two decades.

The event will also address the challenges ahead for older people over the coming years.

Head of Advocacy and Communications, Eamon Timmins, said many challenges lay ahead for older people in Ireland.

"Things have got much more difficult," Mr Timmins said.

"The HSE this year in their service plan - among the cuts they announced was that they are aiming to cut half a million home help hours (while) between 550 and almost 900 public nursing home beds (are) to close.

"Many of the services depended on by the most vulnerable… have been targeted and have been cut. That really creates a lot of fear, a lot of anxiety for people."