300 likes | 458 Views
The Best Way Forward. : Inclusive Communities for Older People Hosted by Respond Housing Association , in association with Irish Centre for Social Gerontology NUIG 23 October 2013. McAuley Place in Naas: Bringing Older Persons to the Heart of a Vibrant Community Margharita Solon
E N D
The Best Way Forward.: Inclusive Communities for Older PeopleHosted by Respond Housing Association , in association with Irish Centre for Social Gerontology NUIG23 October 2013 McAuley Place in Naas: Bringing Older Persons to the Heart of a Vibrant Community Margharita Solon Chair and Board Member: NásnaRíogh Housing Association
Nás na Ríogh Housing Association (NnRHA) is a voluntary, not-for-profit association with charitable status and is affiliated to the Irish Council for Social Housing. • It is managed by a voluntary board of directors. • The NnRHA development is located at McAuley Place in Naas, Co. Kildare.
NnRHA’s development at McAuley Place, Naas • 53 apartments in the centre of Naas town • Community Centre • Arts and Culture Centre • Tea Rooms (‘The Convent Tea Rooms’) • Volunteer Centre • Plans for a Health through Learning Centre and Garden
Inclusive Communities • What type of housing? • Where? Connected to community? How? • Who for? Us – Us as we age • Relationship between housing and health • Vision for “ageing in place” • Importance of “enabling environments” • Importance of “anti-fragile environments” • Expectation of the unexpected
Well-Being • Positive initiatives to improve the lives of older persons • Positive Ageing Strategy • Healthy Ireland • Age Friendly Counties • OPRAH • Research • Subjective well-being • Importance of adaptation • How to evaluate well-being?
Possible Index to Evaluate Subjective Well-Being • How many people was I in physical contact today...yesterday...past seven days. • How many people, other than those providing me with support? • How many people did I have a conversation with, who were physically present, that lasted more than 3 minutes, in the past week, month? • Can I go outside my home unaided? • How far can I comfortably walk alone? • How often was I out of my home in the past week? • Did I connect with anyone using technology? • Did I use technology to improve my situation? • Was I physically challenged? • Was I mentally challenged? • Was I socially challenged? • Was there something I wanted to do but could not? • Did I prepare my own meals? • Were my meals brought to me? • Have I been part of or observed dinner being prepared over the past week/month? • Have I eaten alone any day...how many days? • Did I have choice/input into what I ate? • Do I drive? • Do I go to the shops? • Can I get to local shops and services unaided? • If I need assistance to go to shops or services how available is that help? • Etc.
Quotes from volunteers at McAuley Place • It keeps the mind right. • I enjoy the banter with the staff. • It is a lovely, bright and cheerful place to volunteer in. • It is great to have interaction with people in the Tea Rooms, it gives me confidence talking with older people. • It was great to have the opportunity to bake, to learn new skills. • I would say hi to old people if I pass them on the street now. I used to feel they were looking and judging. • Before I became a volunteer I used to hear the word "community", I didn't know what it really meant. Through all of this my world has become bigger and better. • I see all ages mixing in my community cafe and want this to happen everywhere.
Comments from participants in the Community Arts Project • We all have our own little things. You’re getting my inner thoughts. The happiness I felt in this place is wonderful. This should continue. There are so many people missing something. • I love this place. It’s a very peaceful place. • I had no grounding. This is a lovely space to come to. • You can wander in, wander out. It’s so creative. • It would encourage you to be creative. Through the weeks here, it’s encouraging. I’ve met so many young people here! • This make me feel a lot better, I’m not taking my worries home with me.
Comments from Tenants • I have halved my pain medication since I moved in here. • There are so many things to do here. It is great. • I am secure in a cocoon of acceptance of being afraid. • My brother would not be alive today if he had not moved in here.