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One in five Irish people carry ‘iron overload’ gene

David Beggy, GAA All Star, with his daughter Andrea and Anna McCarthy Power, launch World Haemochromatosis Awareness Day in June

What is haemochromatosis, also known as ‘iron overload’?

‘Iron overload’ or haemochromatosis is a genetic condition where a large amount of iron is absorbed from our diet and deposited in major organs in the body, such as the liver but also the pancreas, heart and joints.

More men than women can develop symptoms of haemochromatosis because women lose iron through regular blood loss from menstruation and pregnancy. In Ireland, 1 in 5 people carry the gene and 1 in 83 are at risk of developing haemochromatosis. Ireland has the highest incidence of the condition in the world. Iron builds up slowly in the body, so symptoms might not appear until ages 30-40 years. Symptoms can include: Chronic fatigue, joint pain and arthritis, diabetes, liver disorders, reduced sex drive and heart disease.

If you are worried about any symptoms of iron overload or if someone in your immediate family has haemochromatosis, contact your GP to arrange a simple blood test. If haemochromatosis is diagnosed and treated early, patients can go onto live normal lives and avoid complications later in life.

For more information visit: haemochromatosis-ir.com; Email: info@haemochromatosis-ir.com; Helpline on (01) 8735911

Limerick Greenway celebrates 500,000 visits

Limerick Greenway has welcomed over 500,000 visits to the 40km scenic offroad walking and cycling route since it reopened in July last year, following a €10 million investment by Limerick City and County Council.

Winding through the countryside of West Limerick — via the three market towns of Rathkeale, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale — visitors pass through the 115m Barnagh Train Tunnel and cross the cast-iron Ferguson’s Viaduct, both restored relics of the 19th century train line. The recreational amenity, on the former Limerick to Tralee train line, will see further improvement works over the coming year. The Railway Goods Shed at Rathkeale is to be restored to supply services to Greenway users and will form part of a Greenway Hub that will also include upgraded car parking facilities. Limerick City and County Council has also confirmed that it will commence work on a new Greenway car park at Station Road, Newcastle West, later in the year. For more information, including bike hire, amenities and itineraries visit limerickgreenway.ie.

Survey reveals varying attitudes to retirement

According to a new survey conducted by the Retirement Planning Council of Ireland (RPC), 57 per cent of of preretirees have adapted their retirement plans after the Covid-19 pandemic. 32 per cent of those surveyed are now considering retiring early, while 25 per cent plan to postpone their retirement plans. The survey was carried out amongst participants of the RPC’s ‘Planning for Retirement’ courses in late 2021 and early 2022.

Respondents were asked whether they would consider delaying retirement or retiring early in the wake of the pandemic. Those who decided to defer retirement cited remote working flexibility, as well as limited travel opportunities, as the main factors influencing their decision.

The desire to retire early was driven by factors such as changes in the working environment and work-related stress caused by the pandemic. On a more positive note, respondents also expressed how lockdowns made them realise the value of spending time with family and friends outside of work, influencing their decision to retire early.

The majority of participants (73per cent) also agreed that lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic provided some insight into what retirement might be like, which may also be a driving factor for pre-retirees who have changed their plans. When asked what lessons they had learned during the pandemic that might help them to better prepare for their retirement, pre-retirees emphasised the value of social interaction and everyday routine.

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A sound and holistic approach to ageing

In the The Secrets of Ageless Ageing, Dr Karen Ward takes her reader by the hand on a voyage of self-discovery and a celebration of middle age and beyond.

Rather than be daunted by this experience, she gives sound, practical advice and a common-sense and holistic approach to the inevitability that is growing older. Karen’s wise and witty style is anchored by interviews with those older and wiser, who share their regrets and joys, and give sage advice. The Secrets of Ageless Ageing is full of tips on how best to manage our physicality, time, mental health and relationships as we age, how to ease our adjustment to retirement and a slower pace of life, and, most importantly, how to embrace with enthusiasm the many opportunities that the latter stages of our lives.

Dr Karen Ward, holistic therapist on RTÉ’s Health Squad and BBC’s Last Resort, is a practising counselling psychotherapist. Her books include The Health Squad Guide to Health and Fitness (Onstream, 2007), Change a Little to Change a Lot (Merlin, 2009) The book is published by Beehive and available at all good books shops and costs €16.99

Five copies of the books to be won!

Senior Times is offering five copies of The Secrets of Ageless Ageing as prizes in this issue’s crossword competition at the end of the magazine.

Video celebrates role played by volunteers in Ireland

We Act has launched a video to celebrate the role of one million volunteers in communities all over Ireland. As part of their national campaign to raise awareness of the value and impact of Irish charities and community groups, We Act launched the video to coincide with the recent National Volunteering Week.

The video, We Volunteer, We Act, features four volunteers – from Irish Cancer Society, Friends of the Elderly, Ronald McDonald House Crumlin and Aoibhneas - sitting down to speak with someone they’ve impacted through their role.

It highlights the power of volunteering, and the impact it can have, not only on those directly availing of services, but on our wider society too.

Public Survey

A survey of 1,000 people in Ireland conducted on behalf of the We Act campaign found:

• 28 per cent said they had volunteered with a charity or community organisation in the past 12 months

• 23 percent say they have volunteered as a board or committee member in the past 12 months • The biggest barriers to volunteering were identified as not having enough time and not being aware of volunteering opportunities

• 40 percent believe those who serve on charity boards are paid a salary when in fact trustees are unpaid volunteers.

Accompanying the release of the video, We Act have also launched a new Volunteering Hub on their website WeAct.ie/volunteer to showcase volunteer stories, and share the breadth and variety of roles for those interested in volunteering.

‘There is such a variety of volunteer roles out there, whatever skills, experience or availability you have’, says Amy Woods, We Act Campaign Spokesperson and Communications and Advocacy Manager for Volunteer Ireland.

‘We want to make sure that everyone who wants to volunteer can do so, by helping them identify roles they are interested in, matching them with the right organisations and working to address any barriers they might have to volunteering.’

Specsavers partnership with SeniorTimes magazine, podcasts and LIVE! events

Specsavers Ireland Chairman, Kerril Hickey: ‘At Specsavers, we make it our mission to help people look after their eye and hearing health, and that’s why we’re delighted to partner with Senior Times to help spread that message. We want to encourage more people to think about their eyesight and hearing as part of their overall health check, especially as they get older.'

LETTER Why will hotels not serve decent vegan food?

I wanted to book a Christmas holiday to Cork with the company I go abroad with but before booking I contacted the hotel to make sure they had proper vegan food. They suggested a green salad for Christmas dinner! I couldn't believe what I was hearing! The only alternative was a vegan burger manufactured in a food factory which they buy in.

I was on group holiday in Cork in another hotel last summer when I was handed a vegan burger out of Iceland or Tesco or somewhere else. I cannot eat this type of food as I have allergies and must know what ingredients the food contains. As a result I got no dinner in that hotel even though I had paid extra for my holiday with the single room supplement. They even had the mashed potato, meat and veg cooked elsewhere and brought in in see through film which they placed in a microwave. That was a 4 star hotel!

This is the story all over Ireland. I just cannot get proper vegan food. What has gone wrong with the catering industry in Ireland (this has nothing to do with Covid) that no chef today can make a simple mushroom risotto, lentil dahl, falafal, bean stews and casseroles, lentil pies etc. Vegan food is the simplest food to make and costs a fraction of the cost of meat dishes.

It now looks as if I will be stuck in the house alone for another Christmas. I have no family left so Christmas is a lonely time anyway but never as lonely as the last two Christmases. Name and address supplied