May 2017 Issue 5 - Volume 18
MAYO YOUTH GROUP GETS READY FOR CANCER SOCIETY X-HALE YOUTH AWARDS No.1in the No.2 Business...
• Septic Tank Cleaning • Emergency Service Call Out • Odours Investigated • High Velocity Water Jetting • CCTV Drain Inspection • Domestic Drain Cleaning • Commercial Drain Cleaning • Man Hole Covers Replaced • Annual Maintenance Contracts
IFA REPS GET BREXIT WEDDING GUIDE INSIDE! BRIEFING
Alone and isolated plight of the elderly Melvin Jones Award for John
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Ballina’s John McCormack (pictured third from left) was presented with the coveted Melvin Jones Award for his outstanding service to Lionism and the community in North Mayo at the recent Ballina Lions Club Charter Night held at Belleek Castle Hotel. John is the eighth Ballina Lion to receive the Award since the club’s inception. The recipients are pictured here with John and current President Tony Munnelly (centre). From left: Pat O'Brien, Seamus Devine, John, Tony, Gerry Jordan, Des McAndrew and Frank Doyle. Unavoidably absent were Adrian Bourke and Danny Greham (the remaining Melvin Jones recipients). (See June issue of Mayo Now for additional photographs) Photo: James Wright Photography.
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N May we celebrate with Bealtaine, but it is also a timely reminder of the plight of a growing number of older people in our communities, particularly in rural, isolated areas. Many studies, particularly one carried out by ALONE in 2016, have revealed that being alone is the greatest fear of our increasingly elderly population and isolation in itself can have devastating health effects. One-in-three over 65s live on their own, a number that’s only going to continue to climb, and a huge proportion of them feelisolated or lonely. There are multiple reasons feeding into the rise of loneliness. Family sizes are smaller, more couples are separating or divorcing, increased emigration, changes in the composition of communities and housing. We’re living longer but with that comes age-related issues such as decreased mobility. Exacerbating the problem, of course, is the lack of suitable housing stock - there’s an urgent need for an option for elderly people that falls between independent living and residential care - and there’s also a stigma that dogs loneliness and prevents people asking for help. Allied to this, also, is the growing number of elderly being attacked and robbed in their homes. We spoke to Ballina Lion, Pat O’Brien, who organises social events, day-trips and some appropriate physical activity for older people. He confirmed that loneliness was the dominant problem for lots of those people. After retirement everything changes. Social activity, the chance to meet new people, a place to meet, talk, enrol in a class – it’s all essential in the post-work scenario. The problem is multiplied when people get older and infirm. There is no systematic approach to catering for the needs of a growing number of elderly people. Dr. Kevin McCarroll from Mercer’s Institute for Successful Aging, says: “I’ve had patients where loneliness has been the major factor in their decision to go into a nursing home”. Continued on Page 2
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