7 minute read
News
News Now
Irish Heart Foundation launches support service for newly discharged stroke survivors
A national phone support service to help newly discharged stroke survivors make the transition back home in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic has been launched by the Irish Heart Foundation in conjunction with the HSE’s National Stroke Programme.
The check-in service is a response to significant reductions in community supports for stroke survivors resulting from both illness and the redeployment of large numbers of healthcare professionals to help tackle the COVID-19 emergency, coupled with earlier than usual discharge of many patients from hospital. Initially, the calls are being made by the Irish Heart Foundation’s team of stroke support coordinators – who are already supporting hundreds of members of the charity’s stroke groups across the country. But as volumes increase, volunteers including stroke survivors and carers will also be activated. The callers are backed up by the Irish Heart Foundation’s support line nurses, whilst a traffic light system is in place to escalate calls when necessary to stroke nurses or the emergency services.
It’s estimated that around 7,500 people are hospitalised after a stroke in Ireland each year – the equivalent of 21 strokes a day nationwide and the majority of people will be discharged home after spending an average of around two weeks in hospital.
In addition to the phone check-in service that actively makes calls to stroke patients, the Irish Heart Foundation’s nurse support line is available to answer questions any member of the public may have on any aspect of heart disease and stroke. Nurses can be contacted by calling 01 668 5001 or emailing support@irishheart.ie.
COPD Support Ireland Information Pack to Support cocooning sufferers
A “Cocooning with COPD” information pack with tips and advice for protecting physical and mental well-being for people with COPD has been announced by COPD Support Ireland.
Cobh remembers Titanic anniversary
The pack contains the COPD & Me self-management booklet, the Staying Well – Cocooning from Coronavirus booklet, and a COPD communication card which patients can complete with their healthcare professional in making an action plan to help them manage their COPD on a daily basis. It features information on COPD, its risk factors, symptoms and diagnosis, as well as providing techniques to cope with breathlessness, exercises that people can do at home, tips for minding mental health, and guidance on nutrition. The pack has been developed in conjunction with the HSE National Clinical Programme Respiratory and the COPD Adviceline.
Junior Cert student Bláthín Verwey from Cobh prepares to place a floral tribute in the sea from the pier where 123 passengers departed Cobh to join the Titanic 108 years ago.
For the first time in over 20 years, there was no public ceremony to mark the anniversary of the sinking of The Titanic in its last port of call, Cobh, Co. Cork, as a result of the Coronavirus lockdown measures.
Instead, a member of the Cobh Tourism Board placed a solitary floral tribute on the Titanic Memorial in the town square, to honour all those who lost their lives 108 years ago.
2 Senior Times l May - June 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie The pack is available to download at www. copd.ie or can be ordered for postal delivery free of charge by texting the word COPD, plus name and address to 51444 (standard network charges apply). Commenting, Chairman of Cobh Tourism Jack Walsh said, ‘Instead of a traditional public ceremony this year, we are inviting everyone to say a prayer or share a thought on Saturday (11th April) for all those who embarked on their final journey from Queenstown, as the town of Cobh was then known, on board the ill-fated Titanic’. Cobh (then Queenstown) was the last port of call for the Titanic on her ill-fated voyage
Home Insurance...
...and Motor Insurance
...for the over 50’s
Contact us on 1850 730 930 or quote and buy online at www.caoga.com
Caoga is a quality insurance product from J.F.Dunne Insurances Ltd and is provided on a tied agency basis. J.F Dunne Insurances Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. J.F.Dunne Insurances Ltd is part of the J.F.Dunne Group Caoga is a quality insurance product from J.F.Dunne Insurances Ltd and is provided on a tied agency basis with AIG Europe for Motor and Zurich Insurance for Home. J.F Dunne Insurances Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. J.F.Dunne Insurances Ltd is part of the J.F.Dunne Group
News Age Action and Active Retirement Ireland criticise Fianna Fail and Fine Gael’s Framework for Coalition for largely ignoring older people
As the world’s leading art instructor Frank Clarke has increased the number of lessons he is streaming via his You Tube Channel We will be putting up 2 new lessons per week at least until this crisis passes. Here is the link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJvPj7EiDrulHihajP8GoHw
Blackberry Hearing are providing free online hearing tests. This enables anyone currently cocooning, due to COVID-19, the opportunity to get their hearing checked without having to leave home.
This free online test is available on the Blackberry Hearing website. You need only find a quiet place with a pair of headphones, click on the website link and follow the instructions.
The test is simple and determines your hearing capability at each frequency (pitch). By moving the slider at each point until the volume drops to a level you can no longer hear, a graph called an audiogram is plotted. The audiogram clearly indicates your hearing loss by frequency and an audiologist is available to follow up with you on the phone to explain the details. The hearing test can be accessed here: https://www.blackberryhearing.com/online-hearing-test/
Customer testimonials may be viewed on Google (link below) and on the company’s own website where many customer Facebook testimonials and many video testimonials have been collected.
bit/ly/blackberryhearing
Active Retirement Ireland and Age Action have responded to a framework document published by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil with disappointment at the lack of commitments to older people and our ageing population. Both NGOs have expressed concern that older people are being ‘largely ignored’. Maureen Kavanagh, CEO of Active Retirement, stated: ‘The context of this document is very much about getting society back on track after the COVID-19 pandemic, so to see the ones who have suffered the most, and sacrificed so much by cocooning and giving up their normal lives, largely ignored is a huge disappointment and shows how little their contributions to society, to communities and the economy are valued by the State’. Paddy Connolly, CEO of Age Action, added: ‘Successive Governments have failed to adequately plan for our ageing population. We can see the result of this laid bare in the crisis that is happening during the COVID-19 pandemic which has placed many older people in precarious and vulnerable situations whether that is in residential care or at home lacking the supports they that they need. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael who between them have held power for over a decade both have the opportunity and responsibility to create a society where everyone in Ireland has the potential to age well’.
Safeguarding Ireland highlights need to protect vulnerable adults amid heightened risks
Safeguarding Ireland today highlighted the need to protect vulnerable adults – amid a heightened risk of abuse resulting from the current Covid-19 crisis.
The concerns highlighted include: 1. Upholding decision-making rights 2. Vigilance against financial abuse 3. Short term payment of bills 4. Care in use of language 5. Longer-term need for a National Safeguarding Authority
The current crisis highlights the need for a National Safeguarding Authority to promote and protect the rights of the most vulnerable in society. It is a concern that there is no single Authority with this overarching mandate and it is something that government should consider as an issue of urgency. More information can be viewed at www.safeguardingireland.org.
Health Insurance Authority welcome measures by insurers on Covid-19
The Health Insurance Authority having worked closely with the Department of Health, health insurers, the HSE and the Central Bank over the last number of weeks welcomes the measures now put in place by insurers in relation to Covid-19. The new measures include a range of supports for consumers and the HIA advises individuals to check with their own insurance company to find out the measures that will be available to them. Each insurer has their own supports depending on the plans and policies customers are on.
The HIA say they will continue to work to ensure consumers are aware of their rights and any financial measures which may be introduced by insurers as a result of the Covid-19 crisis and information will be made public on the Authority’s website hia.ie. Consumers who have concerns about their individual policies can contact our consumer advisors at info@hia.ie where they will try to answer any questions consumers may have.
Teeling Whiskey Releases charity edition in support of front line heroes
labelled with the initiative and individually numbered, will be limited to only 300 bottles and is the first Teeling Whiskey to be matured in Irish Virgin Oak.
The Front Line Heroes special release is available to buy now priced E75, via The Celtic Whiskey Online Shop online https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/ Teeling-Virgin-Oak-Charity-Bottling
