Living in fear of being attacked as well as financial and health worries top the list of concerns for older people across Donegal, a local survey has shown.
The research was carried out by the local Good Morning Service which provides a daily phone call service to hundreds of elderly people across the county.
Recent attacks on the elderly are a major concern of those interviewed by the group which has centres in Buncrana, Donegal Town, Falcarragh, Letterkenny, Lifford, and Burtonport.
The Good Morning Service co-ordinator, Frances Browne, said they are trying to reassure the elderly people of Donegal that help is at hand.
“Our team of volunteers provide a supportive, friendly voice that reassures our clients that, thankfully, these robberies and break ins are not widespread. We let them know there are measures they can take to make their homes as safe as possible.
“We will be sending our Spring Newsletter to our clients in the next few weeks, and it will provide helpful information (from An Gardai) about carrying out a security check on your home.
“In Donegal, there are many excellent community groups who provide personal alarms to people over the age of 65. We work with them daily, on behalf of our clients, to ensure they each have a personal alarm,” she said.
The service supports over 400 older people in the county, with over 120 volunteers making more than 900 calls to them per week.
The calls are made at an agreed time and can be daily or once a week, depending on the preferences of the client. The service also advocates for older people and refers clients to health services and any other organisation that may be of help in relation to each individual’s concerns.
In Inishowen, the service also provides the Friendly Face Befriending scheme that matches a volunteer with an individual who feels isolated or vulnerable, alongside the Care & Repair service offering older people help with home maintenance; light repair work; shopping; transport and social services.
The three issues of most concern to those surveyed include:
• Personal safety worries, particularly fears in relation to burglaries, break ins and attacks on older people around the county. Some older people say they can’t sleep at night with worry about the attacks. The Good Morning Service works to ensure older people have a panic alarm and helps resolve any telephone problems.
• Personal health difficulties, in which the Good Morning Service regularly supports older people in contacting or travelling to appropriate health professionals, as well as regularly talking with older people who are lonely or isolated.
• Financial concerns, such as the difficulty of making ends meet on a pension; the high cost of prescriptions; and the challenge of staying warm when fuel is now so expensive.
The calls are made at an agreed time and can be daily or once a week, depending on the preferences of the client. The service also advocates for older people and refers clients to health services and any other organisation that may be of help in relation to each individual’s concerns.
The Good Morning Service has centres in Buncrana, Donegal Town, Falcarragh, Letterkenny, Lifford, and Burtonport.
The Service supports over 400 older people in the county, with over 120 volunteers making more than 900 calls to them per week.
In Inishowen, the service also provides the Friendly Face Befriending scheme that matches a volunteer with an individual who feels isolated or vulnerable, alongside the Care & Repair service offering older people help with home maintenance; light repair work; shopping; transport and social services.
If you are over the age of 60, and facing any of these issues, remember you are not alone. You can contact the Good Morning Service for support:
• The Good Morning Service’s phone call with a volunteer offers a chat, advice, referral to supports, or a chance to talk about any concerns you might have.
• The Service is free and available to anyone over the age of 60 living in County Donegal.
• To register for the service, contact the Buncrana office on 074-9321598074-9321598.
Would you like to support older people in Donegal?
• Contact 074-9321598074-9321598 if you are interested in volunteering.
• You can also help by making time to talk, and listen to, any older person who might be feeling lonely, isolated, or needing support. Just a smile and the offer of a chat can make a big difference in the life of someone who is living alone.
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