Flourish Issue 8 2019 /20
advice and information for Seniors
Win
a 2-night hotel break in the County Arms Hotel Birr
Irish Cancer Society
Time to talk about your Prostate Health Get Back on Track – Taking control of your finances Winter Events
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Flourish Issue 8
Contents Health & Wellbeing
WELCOME to magazine!
7 Irish Cancer Society – Time to talk
In this issue we look at health and lifestyle issues relevant to seniors, ranging from prostate health to the flu vaccine and from personal alarms to taking control of your finances. We hope you enjoy the read!
about your Prostate Health
14 Turn The Tide of Suicide 16 Stay Warm and Be Winter Ready 17 Seasonal Flu Vaccine
Lifestyle & Living
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2 Need extra support? A Citizens Information Advocate could help
4 Peace of Mind with Personal Alarms 8 Bathroom Adaptations 10 Get Back on Track —
2
Taking control of your finances
12 Shine a Light – Padraic's Story
Leisure
20 Get Moving, Get Active 22 Winter Events 24 Do you play golf? 25 Crossword 26 Recipes
16 22
Competition Time
28 Win a 2-night hotel break in the County Arms Hotel Birr in association with Select Hotels of Ireland.
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ADVOCACY FEATURE
Need Extra Support? A Citizens Information Advocate Could Help
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very year, over 570,000 people attend a Citizens Information Service (CIS), with over a million queries between them. Of those, a significant number need extra support in order to resolve their issue, which is where the CIS Advocacy Service steps in. Help can range from writing a letter or making a telephone call on someone’s behalf, through to attending a hearing for a social welfare appeal or the Workplace Relations Commission. When Mary found herself unable to work due to her deteriorating health, she applied for Disability Allowance but her application was turned down. With little energy due to her illness and feeling overwhelmed by the appeal process, she popped into her local Citizens 2
Information Centre (CIC) to ask for help. At the CIC Mary met with a worker who explained that through the advocacy service, she could be supported with her appeal, with a worker helping her with all the paperwork and documents that she would need. Mary was delighted to accept the assistance and worked with the service to submit her appeal. Her appeal was successful. She received €18,800 in back payments. Mary said: “Without the CIS Advocacy Service I do not know what I would have done. Knowing there was someone on my side, who knew what to do and could stand up for my rights if necessary, took away a huge amount of stress for me…the support and help I received has made a huge difference to my life.” Flourish Issue 8
In another CIC in the West of Ireland, John and his wife came in as he had been denied a medical card due to being in receipt of an income of €4,000 annually from a private pension. He said that at 76 years old he felt he lacked confidence in dealing with “officialdom” and needed support to resolve the situation.
ADVOCACY FEATURE
What happens at a Citizens Information Centre?
Staff at the CIC explained to John what documentation he would need in order to get a medical card and assisted him with all paperwork. In addition, the advocacy worker contacted the pension company on numerous occasions over a period of 6 months, for proof of payment amounts to provide to the medical card department. John and his wife were granted full Medical Cards until 2022. This outcome made a huge difference to John’s life as he is receiving ongoing treatment for cancer, which is very costly. (All names have been changed)
• Staff and volunteers called ‘Information Providers’ are on hand to answer any queries you may have; from how to access housing through to where to apply for a medical card. • If you have any documentation relating to your query, please bring it with you. • Everything you say in the centre will be kept confidential*. • If you need extra support, for example assistance writing a letter or making a phone call, just ask the Information Provider for help. • If it becomes clear you will need longer-term support to deal with an issue, you may be able to access the advocacy service. The Information Provider will explain what help can be provided and give you a written guide explaining the support available. *unless you or someone else is at risk Contact Citizens Information on 0761 07 4000, Monday – Friday 9am -8pm or find your local CIC on www.citizensinformation.ie 3
Peace of Mind with
Personal Alarms Personal Alarm systems range from simple pendants which trigger a pager in another part of a home to pendants which dial, via a telephone line, directly to a 24-hour monitoring station, and even systems which will alert someone if you do not move around your home as you normally would. It is recommended that you wear the pendant at all times and press the button if ever you need help or reassurance. Getting help quickly if you have an accident is very important. Personal alarms help provide reassurance. If you are aged 65 or over and have limited means or resources you could be eligible for the Seniors Alert Scheme. Other criteria for eligibility include: • Either living alone or being alone for significant periods of time • Living in an area covered by the administering grant support group • You are willing to maintain contact with the registered group There are more sophisticated personal alarm systems, sometimes called Telecare. These systems offer continuous, remote and automatic monitoring. This enhanced form of telecare enables usual behaviour patterns to be monitored, and for changes outside of normal behavioural patterns (for example, not getting out of bed at the 4
usual time or leaving the house late at night) to instigate an appropriate action. Telecare monitoring covers a wide range of needs, and is intended to support people and enable them to continue living in their own home, independently or with the assistance of carers, for as long as possible. The Seniors Alert Scheme provides grant support for the supply of alarm equipment to enable older people of limited means to continue to live securely in their homes. Private purchase may be necessary if you are not eligible to obtain the necessary equipment from the local area health services, local authority or qualify for a grant from Pobal. You might also prefer to buy privately because of the wider choice of equipment available from suppliers on the private market. For further information see assistireland.ie provided by the Citizens Information Board Flourish Issue 8
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Tel: 087 461 3260 Flourish Issue 8
Time to talk about your prostate health
The Movember Foundation recently funded research that showed four out of five Irish men with prostate cancer showed no symptoms when they were diagnosed with the disease. The report, from the Irish Prostate Cancer Outcomes Research (IPCOR) group, also found that 1 in 5 men diagnosed with prostate cancer are under the age of 60, which conflicts with the general perception that the disease affects men of an older age. The report’s findings show how important it is for men to have a conversation with their doctor about their prostate health. Generally, prostate cancer only causes symptoms when it becomes advanced. The best chance of treating and curing the disease, is to catch the cancer early, before symptoms develop. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in Irish men.
To mark the beginning of prostate cancer awareness month in November, the Irish Cancer Society is urging all men over 50 to take a half an hour to have a conversation with their doctor about prostate cancer. Symptoms of Prostate cancer may include some or all of the following: • A slow flow of urine • Trouble starting or stopping the flow • Passing urine more often, especially at night • Pain when passing urine • Blood in the urine or semen • Feeling of not emptying your bladder fully • Less common symptoms of Prostate cancer include: • Pain in your lower back, hips or upper thighs • Trouble having or keeping an erection • Blood in the urine If you have any of these symptoms it is important you see your GP for a prostate check. Remember, it may not be cancer, but it is vital you get these symptoms checked out. For more information, see www.cancer.ie 7
Bathroom Adaptations
There are many ways to adapt your bathroom to make your life easier and safer. As we get older it can be more difficult to get in and out of the bath or to stand in the shower for any length of time. You might be worried that you will slip in the bathroom. You may find it difficult to turn the taps on. Here are some options to consider: • Replace the shower tray if it is too high for you to step over • Install a shower seat – portable or permanent • Install hoists in the bath • Change the bathroom to a wetroom • Replace the taps with lever action taps • Install non slip flooring throughout • Install grab rails within easy reach • Raise the toilet bowl Your GP, public health nurse or physiotherapist, can advise you on specialised equipment, based on both your short-term and long-term needs. If you have a two storey house then you may need to consider installing a stairlift as well as adapting your bathroom if it is located upstairs. Alternatively installing a downstairs wetroom/toilet might be a better solution. 8
Adapting your home may be expensive, particularly if structural change is involved. The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme is administered by local authorities, under the Housing Regulations 2007 (Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability), which were amended by new Regulations in 2014. The grant can help you to make changes and adaptations to your home, for example, making it wheelchair-accessible, extending it to create more space, adding a ground-floor bathroom or toilet or a stair-lift. If you only require minor work, you can apply for the means-tested Mobility Aids Grant Scheme instead. You may be eligible for a tax credit under the Home Renovation Incentive for money spent on adapting your home. Contact your local Citizens Information Centre and check out your eligibility. You will have to get advance approval before starting any works. www.citizensinformation.ie
Flourish Issue 8
Portable Hoists Sometimes people require help to move from one position to another. A hoist can greatly reduce the risk of injury to the person assisting and is a strong metal frame which is either fixed or portable.
the advice of an appropriate therapist on the suitability of that equipment to your condition or situation. Ultimately the aim of using equipment is to reduce the risk of the injury to the lowest level possible.
The frame has a lifting mechanism operated manually or powered by electricity. A sling or a chair is suspended from the hoist, which supports and carries a person from one position to another.
Private purchase may be necessary if you are not eligible to obtain the necessary equipment from your local area health services. You might also wish to buy privately because of the wider choice of equipment available on the private market.
To ensure that you have the correct hoist equipment, it is strongly recommended to seek
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Get Back on Track Taking control of your finances
Y
ou try to get on top of things but the debt just keeps growing. Being in debt can be a vicious circle and it’s sometimes hard to see a solution, but there is help.
The Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) is the independent government body with four debt solutions to help people with all levels of problem debt - from credit cards to mortgages. The ISI has put in place a network of qualified professionals around the country – called PIPs (Personal Insolvency Practitioners) – to provide you with debt advice and to work with your creditors on your behalf to work out a solution. All of the debt solutions overseen by the ISI are designed to get a person back on track financially, keeping them in their home where possible. At the end of the process, the person will be solvent again and can start planning their future. Of the thousands of cases that have already gone through the ISI’s systems, the majority of proposals have been accepted by creditors as it is becoming clear that it is also in the creditors’ interest to sort out any backlog of debt.
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You may feel your situation has gone too far and become too difficult to fix. There is hope and support for you. PIPs are continuously working with people in debt to achieve a solution to their home mortgage arrears, just like John and Sarah – John and Sarah first got into financial difficulty when John lost his job. With a number of dependent children including one with special needs, life was tough. Sarah put her head in the sand and tried to shield John from the stress by hiding creditor letters from him. She told John everything was fine. ‘But it wasn’t fine. It was a sad, sorry situation’. One day a guy called at the house with a letter and when John read it, he understood the extent of the issue and that there had been no engagement with the creditors. They sought the help of MABS in the first instance and from
Flourish Issue 8
there they met a PIP. They took on board the budgeting advice from MABS while liaising with the PIP. Before then, they had literally thought that they would be handing back the keys and have no home for their children. Within 5 months, an arrangement was in place. When the couple learned that the proposal had been agreed with creditors, it was ‘one of the best feelings ever’. Everything was good and ‘it was up to us to keep our side of the bargain’. Now, life has completely changed for the better. They have learned from the experience to be careful in terms of budgeting and it is a ‘brilliant feeling’. ‘We now have a social fund which we never had before! At Christmas, we went shopping with the kids and it was great. We even had our dinner out. We would be broken people if not for the help we received and the people we met.
Nobody judged us. The people we met were fair and ready to help.’ Sarah’s advice to others is ‘Not to bury your head like I did. You need to tackle it and access the help that is there for you. Don’t go on being worried – no sleeping, no eating. Now we are even better as a couple. We are more of a team now. We do the budgeting together!’ If you are in arrears on your home mortgage you may be eligible for a free consultation with a PIP under the state-funded Abhaile service. For more details visit www.backontrack.ie or call the ISI’s information line at 076 106 4200. There is also a facility whereby you can freetext GETHELP to 50015 and a staff member will call back to discuss the solutions available.
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Can you help
Shine a Light Padraic’s Story
Padraic was a University of Limerick student studying to teach PE and English when he was chosen to represent the University on an exchange trip to sunny Long Beach California. Padraic Rocliff on how he was inspired to help the homeless. During his second week while enroute to Lake Tahoe, he was involved in a serious car accident. The car he was travelling in rolled over and he had a near death experience. During his lengthy recovery, he was inspired by a Christmas Day encounter with a homeless family, to set up Shine a Light, a charity to help homeless people here in Ireland. Padraic tells his story. “I sustained several injuries, including a broken neck, back and foot and while in the car I had what I can only describe as an unbelievable experience. God spoke to me and said “sit back in the car and put your back up against the roof, tell the girls (who were travelling with me) to get a pillow from the boot and stick it behind your back to give you some support”. It was truly amazing. We waited for over two hours before an ambulance came. I started to panic and God spoke to me again saying “Have I ever let you down before, you’re not going to be paralysed but you’re going to have a severe neck injury”. An incredible sense of calm came over me and I knew deep down, that as long as I wasn’t paralysed I knew I’d pull through. I spent the next 11 months in rehab in Las Vegas. I learned how to walk, sit, stand and dress all over again. It is experiences like these that put life in to perspective and make you realise what is really important. When I eventually 12
Flourish Issue 8
started walking again I used to go to the outside area of the facility. There was a pathway that lead to a metal gate. I practised walking up and down to that gate multiple times each evening and when I reached the gate, I used to look at the outside world and promise myself that I would never take my life for granted again.”
campaigns across the country to distribute essential goods. If this isn’t for you then join our media team and help capture necessary footage or become a Shine a Light committee member and have your voice heard on how best to aid the homeless.
Padraic’s inspiration for Shine a Light happened on Christmas Day, with no family around he decided to go to a diner for lunch. There were two homeless people outside begging for money. He approached them and said he wouldn’t give them money, but if they wanted to come inside for a chat, he would buy them a meal. In they came and it turned out to be a mother and her son who had been evicted from their home and had become homeless. That meal altered the direction of Padraic’s life. There and then he knew where his calling lay. “I decided I’d get myself into a position to do something in aid of the homeless here in Ireland.” Shine a Light is an organisation dedicated to the distribution of care packages to the homeless. These include clothing, non-perishable food items, liquids and hygiene products. There are currently over 10,000 people homeless on the island of Ireland. Some children and their families are spending their second and third Christmas in temporary accommodation. We need volunteers, we need you. There are a number of volunteer roles available within Shine a Light - you can get involved by donating goods, fundraising, helping with making the care packs or volunteering at one of our many
Donation points include the Westport Leisure Park, Mayo or the University of Limerick Students Union (Donations taken up to 3 weeks before each campaign date, see website for more details).
Email: shinealight.homeless@gmail.com Website: www.shinealighthomeless.com Facebook: Shine a Light Instagram: shinealight_homeless Twitter: shinealighthome “If you want something very badly, you can achieve it. It may take patience, very hard work, a real struggle, and a long time – but it can be done. That much faith is a prerequisite of any undertaking, artistic or other” (Margo Jones 1913-1955) 13
Turn the Tide of Suicide New research undertaken by 3Ts to focus on delivery of care for patients presenting with self harm in emergency departments 3Ts Collaborate with Mental Health Research Team from Trinity School of Nursing and Midwifery Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Charity 3Ts (Turn the Tide of Suicide) has collaborated with a team of researchers from the mental health team in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin to explore some of the issues around the delivery of care to patients who present with self-harm in the Emergency Department.
Participants are currently being sought to take part in each part of the multi-phase study including:
Phase 1: People who have presented to the ED in Ireland with self-harm or suicidal thoughts/behaviour in the past 5 years (ongoing);
Phase 2: Family members/carers who have experience of presenting with a family member or someone in their care to the ED for self-harm (commencing Sept/Oct 2019*);
Phase 3: Health professionals and other staff within the ED, mental health professionals within the ED and referring to and from the ED, General Practitioners and other primary care staff who refer to and take referrals from the ED (study commencing Sept/ Oct 2019*).
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Flourish Issue 8
Speaking about the research, Dr Louise Doyle of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin said “In 2017, there were 11,600 presentations to Emergency Departments (ED) nationally for treatment of self-harm. While this represents a continued stabilisation of the rate in recent years, it is still higher than the years pre-recession and the lethality of the self-harm acts appear to be increasing. Repetition of self-harm continues to be a significant issue with approximately 15% of patients presenting more than once to the ED with self-harm – those who engage in repeated selfharm are also at a greater risk of completed suicide. The Emergency Department is often the first port of call for those who have attempted suicide or have engaged in serious self-harm. Indeed, for many people the ED is the only healthcare setting they are exposed to after self-harm, consequently
the Emergency Department represents an important setting for suicide prevention and early intervention.” If you are interested in taking part in this study or finding out more about 3ts’ work, please contact Dr Louise Doyle by email louise. doyle@tcd.ie or visit www.3ts.ie * Subject to Ethical Approval. 3Ts (Turn the Tide of Suicide) is a registered charity in Ireland, founded in 2003 to raise awareness of the issue of suicide. 3ts raise funds to help prevent future deaths by Suicide through research, intervention & support. 3Ts receives no Government funding but relies on its own fundraising activities and those of its supporters.
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Stay Warm and Be Winter Ready
During the winter months it’s important to keep warm, eat well and stay healthy. Try to have at least one proper meal per day. Certain foods, such as potatoes, eggs, meat, fish and of course plenty of fruit and vegetables are all good sources of protein, energy and vitamins. Keep stocked up on some basic foods so you don’t need to go out to the shops on very cold days. Thermal cups and flasks can be useful for hot drinks without the cost of reheating. As we get older our bodies respond differently to low temperatures. The risk of flu and other respiratory problems increase in cold weather. Be sure to stock up on over-the-counter cough and cold remedies. The flu vaccine is a safe, effective way to help prevent flu infection. Symptoms of flu include sore throat, fever and muscle aches, which develop quickly, along with feeling very unwell. If you have to go out in icy weather, wear appropriate clothing and in particular the right
footwear. If driving, do so safely and remember to leave more time for your journey.
Here are some simple tips to help you prepare for the winter months. • Eat regular hot meals and drink plenty of fluids • Buy your groceries online to avoid going out in the cold • Stock up on prescription medicine • Get the flu injection annually (available from October) • Wear plenty of layers to maintain body heat • Keep your home warm, stock up on fuel/oil before the winter • Keep active, stand up and move around • Wear shoes with good grips to prevent falls when walking outside • Keep a mixture of sand and salt handy for outside paths in icy conditions • Wear a personal alarm so family or neighbours are alerted if you fall Remember to check in with elderly neighbours and relatives to make sure they are safe and well too.
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SEASONAL FLU VACCINE Influenza (flu) is a highly infectious acute respiratory illness caused by the flu virus. Flu affects people of all ages, with outbreaks occurring almost every year. Flu symptoms come on suddenly with a fever, muscle aches, headache and fatigue. This is different from a cold which is a much less severe illness compared to flu. A cold usually starts gradually with a sore throat and a blocked or runny nose. Symptoms of a cold are generally mild compared to flu. Flu is predictable. In some instances, flu can be severe and can cause serious illness and death. Serious breathing complications can develop, including pneumonia and bronchitis, to which older people and those with certain chronic medical conditions are particularly susceptible. Pregnant women may need hospital treatment and hundreds of people die from flu each winter. This year the seasonal (annual) flu vaccine protects against four common virus strains. The flu virus changes each year this is why a new flu vaccine has to be given each year. The best way to prevent flu is to get the flu vaccine. The vaccine is recommended for • all those 65 years of age and over • pregnant women • those with long term medical conditions e.g. heart or lung disease • all frontline healthcare workers including carers
Vaccination should ideally be undertaken in September or early October each year. Flu vaccines have been used for more than 60 years worldwide and are very safe. Flu vaccine contains killed or inactivated viruses and therefore cannot cause flu. It does, however, take 10-14 days for the vaccine to start protecting you against flu. • The vaccine and consultation are free to those within the recommended groups who have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘GP Visit Card’. • GPs and pharmacists charge a consultation fee for seasonal flu vaccine to those who do not have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘GP Visit Card’. More information is available from your GP, Public Health Nurse or pharmacist. www.hse.ie/flu provides details about flu vaccination, along with answers to any questions you may have about flu.
Pneumococcal vaccine
If you are over 65 or have a long term medical condition you should also ask your doctor about the pneumococcal vaccine which protects against pneumonia, if you have not previously received it. You can get the flu vaccine at the same time as the pneumococcal vaccine. #YourBestShot
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Have you tried Online Shopping?
Have you tried online shopping? You can conveniently do all your shopping from the comfort of your own home. Avoid the stress and the crowds. You don’t have to find a parking space and there is no waiting in queues or at the till. You can buy everything from electric goods and groceries to mobile phones and shoes online. You can also do your shopping at any time of the day or night. You have access to a wide range of shops, which usually carry a larger stock than the physical shops. Shopping online cuts out unnecessary spending. Have you ever gone to buy a litre of milk and come out of the supermarket with a bag full of groceries? See individual supermarket websites for their online shopping details. Some grocery shops offer free delivery once you spend over a certain amount. You will have electronic records of your receipts, which is handy for keeping your accounts in order. Gift shopping is also made easier. A great choice of gifts is available and you can have the 18
gift delivered directly to relatives and friends. All the packaging and shipping is done for you. Keep a record of the expected delivery dates to ensure that the gift arrives on time. If you have concerns about getting items delivered directly to your home many high street shops offer a ‘click and collect’ system. This lets you shop online and pay for your items but instead of having them delivered to your home address they will be delivered to the local branch of the particular shop. You will get notice by text message when your item has arrived into the shop and you can go and collect it at your convenience. Before you commit to online shopping be sure to read the terms and conditions of the particular retailer you are shopping with. The small print on return policies will sometimes state that shoppers must pay to ship products back, even when items arrive with a defect. Reading the customer service policies online should provide clear answers on all fees and guarantees. Happy Online Shopping! Flourish Issue 8
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Get Moving, Get Active J
ust 30 minutes of physical activity a day goes a long way to keeping you healthy and active.
Regular exercise promotes flexibility and strength and increases your energy levels. Did you know that there are initiatives operating around the country with volunteers on standby to encourage and assist.
Go for Life–a national programme for
sport and physical activity for older people, which is run by over 1,200 volunteers. Activities include short exercise routines, fun games and sports. The aim is to involve older people in recreational physical activity both as participants and as volunteers (PALs - Physical Activity Leaders). PALs–an initiative which trains older people how to lead sport and activity sessions in their local groups and communities. Once you become a PAL you will be trained to lead activities like short exercise routines, fun games, simple dances and sports, like pitch and toss and bowling. Go for life is funded by Sport Ireland and the HSE. For more information see www.ageandopportunity.ie
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Get Ireland Walking is a national initiative that aims to get people walking to improve their health, wellbeing and fitness. You can start up a group locally or check and see if there are groups in your area that you can join. For more information see getirelandwalking.ie Parkrun organise free, weekly, 5km timed
runs. Walkers are also welcome. Taking place in pleasant parkland surroundings, open to everyone and easy to take part in. People of all abilities are encouraged to take part, from those taking their first steps in running, to running veterans. You simply log on to the website parkrun.ie and register. You will receive a unique barcode, which can be scanned after each 5km parkrun that you participate in. All parkrun events use age grading to allow athletes to compare results. Parkrun is sponsored by VHI, Healthy Ireland and Athletics Ireland and for more information see www.parkrun.ie
Flourish Issue 8
Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy If you were running a fever or were feeling physically run-down you would probably visit a GP. So, if you were feeling depressed, anxious or just needed to talk through some issues it would stand to reason that you would also seek help. Your mental health should be of equal importance to your physical health, but in this increasingly fast-paced world we’re living in, people’s mental health often falls by the wayside. Many people searching for counselling or psychotherapy are unsure of where to find it. On our online register of our members, you can see what counsellors are in your area, what techniques they specialise in and their rates. When meeting with an IACP member you can be assured of meeting with an empathic and
non-judgmental professional who will work with you to reach solutions. Confidentiality and respect are the cornerstones of counselling and psychotherapy. The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) is the largest Irish register of professionally accredited Counsellors and Psychotherapists. With over 4400 members, you can access IACP trained and accredited members in every county in Ireland. These members have the power of helping you with issues such as Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Relationships, Bereavement and Loss, Sexuality and many more emotional issues. Whatever you may be feeling, IACP can help. Start your journey towards positive mental health today. Find us on www.iacp.ie.
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Winter Events The Galway Continental Christmas Market
Taste the Island
Taste the Island promotes the island of Ireland’s extensive catalogue of food and drink experiences. There are numerous events nationwide but here are just two events to whet your appetite: 1. Flavours of Achill Island: 26 October 2019. Full day tour visiting four producers on Achill Island 2. Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Taste of Mayo: 16 and 17 November 2019
Eyre Square, Galway The Christmas Market makes its return to the City Of The Tribes from 6pm on Friday 22 November until mid December 2019.
For further information see www.failteireland.ie
Guided tours of Kilkenny Castle
www.galwaytourism.ie/event/ galway-christmas-market
The Parade, Kilkenny Guided tours of the Period Rooms are available from November 2019 to January 2020 only. The tour lasts approximately 45 mins. See website for entrance fees www. kilkennycastle.ie 22
Flourish Issue 8
Mamma Mia
Dublin Castle Exhibitions Grand Canal Square, Docklands, Dublin The Smash Hit Musical based on the songs of ABBA takes place at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre from 10 December 2019 to 05 January 2020. See website for entrance fees www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie See an exhibition about Lady Eliza Beresford/ Cobbe’s porcelain collecting in the State Apartment Galleries in Dublin Castle, Dame Street, Dublin 2
The Lieutenant of Inishmore
September 2019 to 16 February 2020. Admission included in your ticket to Dublin Castle. The tour of the castle including the State Apartments lasts approximately 60 mins . See website for entrance fees www. dublincastle.ie or www.opw.ie/en/latestnews Gaiety Theatre Box Office South King Street, Dublin 2. The Lieutenant of Inishmore by Martin McDonagh will run at the Gaiety Theatre from 27 January to 22 February 2020. See Gaiety Website for further information www.gaietytheatre.ie Solution to Crossword on Page 25
Across: 2. Robot, 6. Castle, 7. Divide, 8. Unwind, 9. Ensure, 10. Lack, 11. Silent, 14. Descend, 15. Screen, 17. Aquarium, 18. Upside, 19. Campaign, 21. Donor, 24. Irrigate, 27. Advance, 28. Vault, 29. Addict, 30. Expert, 31. Parchment Down: 1. Basis, 3. Online, 4. Release, 5. Glimpse, 9. Expiry, 10. Location, 12. Education, 13. Rebel, 15. Suffer, 16. Inspire, 19. Contrast, 20. Variety, 22. Seclude, 23. Bridge, 25. Judge, 26. Calcium, 27. Access 23
I
Do you play golf?
reland has some spectacular golf courses and people travel from all over the world to play them. Have you ever played golf? Would you consider taking up the sport?
Some tips to get you started in golf: Take golf lessons – to ensure that your grip, posture, and swing are correct. Go to your local golf course and talk to the pro. He/she can give you lessons or recommend someone else local who can. The pro will also help you find golf clubs. You will need to invest in a good set of clubs so talk to the pro before buying clubs. A pro will give an evaluation to ensure that you get clubs that are appropriate for your height and strength level. You will also need good, comfortable golf shoes and waterproof clothing as golf is played in all weathers.
Check if your local golf club are doing sessions for new members so that you can get a feel for the club rules, dress code, competition formats and general procedures. The best times to play when starting off are during quiet times such as weekday mornings or evenings. Be aware of the rules of golf and also check at your golf club which may have local rules either on the score card or displayed in the clubhouse. Don’t take yourself too seriously, enjoy the game and have fun. Golf is a social sport where you can chat and get a bit of exercise. The ‘Get into Golf’ programme aims to make golf more accessible to the wider audience. It was set up in 2013 firstly to increase female participation in the sport but has developed into a programme that recruits men, women, boys and girls. You will find more information about the programme on the Confederation of Golf in Ireland website: www.cgigolf.org
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Flourish Issue 8
Crossword 1 2
3
5
4 6 7 9
8
10 11
12 13
14
15 16 17
19
18 20
21 23
22
24
25
26 27
28
29
30
Across 2. Android or machine (5) 6. Fortified building (6) 7. Split (6) 8. Undo (6) 9. Safeguard (6) 10. Deficiency (4) 11. Not speaking (6) 14. Move downwards (7) 15. Partition (6) 17. Fish tank (8)
Down 18. Positive aspect (6) 19. Crusade (8) 21. Benefactor (5) 24. Supply water (8) 27. Make progress (7) 28. Storage room or chamber (5) 29. Fanatic (6) 30. Specialist (6) 31. Baking paper (9)
1. Foundation (5) 3. Connected to a computer (6) 4. Emancipate (7) 5. Partial view (7) 9. End (6) 10. Situation (8) 12. Learning (9) 13. Rise against (5) 15. Hurt or ache (6)
16. Motivate (7) 19. Difference (8) 20. Diversity (7) 22. Shelter (7) 23. Viaduct, way over (6) 25. Determine (5) 26. Chemical element in bones (7) 27. Entrance (6)
Solution to Crossword on page 23
31
25
Sweet Citrus Spiced Salmon served with Honey Roasted Carrots & Parsnips Sweet Citrus Spiced Salmon Serves 6
Method
• 3/4 cup pineapple juice • 6 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 6 salmon fillets, skin removed
Preheat oven to 200°C. Prepare a roasting dish by greasing it with a little butter.
Ingredients Marinade
Sweet & Spicy Topping • 1/2 cup brown sugar • 2 tsp lemon zest • 2 tsp chili powder • 1 tsp ground cumin • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Honey Roasted Carrots & Parsnips Ingredients
• 900g of carrots & parsnips peeled and cut into 5cm pieces • 3 tablespoons of butter • 3 cloves of garlic (minced or grated) • 2 tablespoons of honey • 1 teaspoon of salt • ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper • 2 tablespoons fresh flat leaf parsley leaves
In a large resealable plastic bag, combine pineapple juice, lemon juice and salmon. Refrigerate for 1 hour, turning occasionally.
For the salmon topping - in a small bowl, combine brown sugar, lemon zest, chili powder, cumin, salt and cinnamon. Set aside until you are ready to put the salmon in the oven. Meanwhile cut the carrots & parsnips diagonally into 5cm (2-inch) pieces. Place on a baking tray. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Swirl the pan occasionally, until the butter is a golden colour. Add the garlic and continue to cook. Remove from the heat and whisk in the honey. Drizzle half the garlic butter sauce over the carrots & parsnips and toss to coat. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper and toss to coat again. Spread the vegetables into an even layer. Roast for 15 minutes then turn the vegetables and roast for a further 15 minutes. Remove salmon from refrigerator and dispose of marinade. Place fillets on the prepared baking dish and rub brown sugar mixture over salmon. Bake 12 minutes or until fish is flaky. Once the carrots and parsnips are cooked transfer them to a serving bowl. Pour the remaining half of the garlic butter sauce over the vegetables and garnish with parsley. Serve immediately with the Salmon.
26
Flourish Issue 8
Key Lime Pie
with Red Berry Sauce Serves 6 – 8
Ingredients • 125g digestive biscuits • 90g butter, melted • 4 egg yolks • 400g condensed milk • 125ml lime juice • 2 teaspoons lime zest • Whipped cream for serving • Red berry sauce, lime slices and some mint leaves to garnish
Red Berry Sauce • 300g raspberries and strawberries • 100g golden caster sugar
For the base: Crush the biscuits in a food processor for 30 seconds. Transfer to a bowl and add the butter. Press the biscuit mix into a 23cm (9 inch) pie dish and refrigerate until firm.
For the red berry sauce: Place the berries into a saucepan with the sugar. Cook over a medium heat, until the sugar has dissolved and the fruits have broken down. Strain through a sieve, then chill until ready to serve. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
For the Key Lime sauce: Pie: red berry With an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks, condensed milk, lime juice and lime zest for 1 minute. Pour onto the chilled biscuit mix and smooth the surface. Bake for 25 minutes, or until set. Remove from oven and once cooled, refrigerate the pie for at least two hours. Prepare serving plates with red berry sauce and place a slice of pie on each plate. Decorate with whipped cream, slices of lemon and mint leaves.
27
Sele
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