Communities can play major role in helping elderly people to have full and active lives

THE concerns expressed by the coroner for Kerry South, Terence Casey, about suicide among older people are shared by Age Action.

The complex combination of factors which result in considerable numbers of older people taking their own lives, needs to be addressed publicly.

For some older people, the latter years of their lives can be very difficult. These include people who are socially isolated — sometimes going five or six days at a time without meeting another human being. Others are overwhelmed with grief following the death of a spouse or loved one. For many (especially men), they may never come to terms with retirement after 40 years or more of having a work-related purpose to their life. Depression can be an issue for some.

But the response to suicide among older people must go beyond the medical profession. Communities have a major role to play. Groups like Age Action can lobby politicians for more supports for older people, but they cannot ensure that older people have a value and a role in their communities.

Many older people tell us that although they have a lifetime of experience, they have no way of contributing that to their communities, and feel that their contribution is not wanted.

Yet in some communities, older people play full, active roles. And these communities benefit as a result. On the basis that we all hope to grow older, Terence Casey’s comments deserve further debate and consideration at community level.

Eamon Timmins

Head of Advocacy and Communications

Age Action

Dublin 2