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Issue 78 Nov./Dec. 2015 E3.95 (£3.20)

The magazine for people who don’t act their age

Time traveller Michael Palin talks exclusively to Senior Times

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Issue 78 November/December 2015

Contents

News:

Creative writing:

Time traveller:

Eileen Casey profiles artists Paul Bewicke who has recently celebrated her 80th birthday

Nigel Baxter talks to Michael Palin Paris..but not as you know it:

Engaging ageing:

Claire Bourke offers a guide to the French capital’s lesser

Dublin City University is at the forefront of research

known places of interest

Tunesome twosome:

Derby winner:

the Derbyshire Dales 30

What’s on in the arts:

Age no barrier to wage:

Dermot Gilleece traces the life and times of one of

offer this year

golf’s all-time greats

Home security:

The rise and rise of two bakers:

Back to (cookery) school:

Maretta Dillon meets two enterprising go-getters who

cookery school 48

UCD Institute of Food and Health Centre of Excellence is looking for volunteers Pat Keenan loved the food, the people and sites in the

Northern notes:

102

Meeting place:

110

Crossword:

118

Crafts:

120

‘heel’ of Italy Publishing Directors: Brian McCabe, Des Duggan Editorial Director: John Low Editor At Large: Shay Healy Consultant Editor: Jim Collier Advertising: Willie Fallon Design & Production: www.cornerhouse.ie Contributors: Lorna Hogg, Dermot Gilleece, Maretta Dillon, Jim Collier, Peter Power, Matthew Hughes, Mairead Robinson, Eileen Casey, Debbie Orme, Connie McEvoy

successfully changed direction

Mairead Robinson enrolled in the Cooks Academy

In praise of Puglia:

Shay Healy caught up with Frances Black and

Lorna Hogg looks at Christmas markets packages on

Leading the way in healthy ageing research:

Kieran Goss before they embarked on a nationwide tour

Lorna Hogg finds plenty to interest in the city of Derby and Markets magic:

Published by S& L Promotions Ltd., Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 Tel: +353 (01) 4969028. Fax: +353 (01) 4068229 Editorial: John@slp.ie Advertising: brian@slp.ie Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

News Now Labour ‘ determined to ensure’ that older people feel the recovery. As the economic recovery ‘becomes more widespread’ around the country, Labour, according to a statemernt from the party, ‘ is determined to make sure that older people are fully part of that recovery. The Statement of Government Priorities 2014-16, agreed by Tánaiste Joan Burton, specifically acknowledged the huge and vital contribution that older people make to our communities and our country. ‘Labour ensured that vital measures to support older people were protected and maintained even during the most difficult economic circumstances. This includes the State Pension and the free travel pass and TV license. ‘Last year, the emerging recovery allowed us to begin to restore living standards for older people, families and workers under Budget 2015. Labour in government, for example, prioritised the extension of GP coverage to people over 70. This is an important milestone in the rollout of universal primary care. It is also a key part of Labour’s agenda to help keep people well in their own communities. The successful rollout of free GP

Healthwave opens in Galway

Shane O’Sullivan, pharmacist and founder of Healthwave at the opening of the Galway store. Photo Mike Shaughnessy.

Healthwave, the Irish pharmacy claiming to offer up to 90% savings on prescription medications, has opened a store in Galway. The low price pharmacy ‘provides transparent pricing and universal access’ to affordable medication.

care for the Over 70s this summer, means that nearly 40,000 extra people over 70 will now not have to worry about the cost of seeing a doctor. In total, over 2.1 million people in 2015 will have a medical or GP visit card. ‘This year also saw the first increase in the Living Alone Allowance since 1996. This increase will help provide a greater level of income for over 177,000 people at an annual cost of €12 million. In addition, the 25% restoration of the Christmas bonus for all social welfare recipients including pensioners provides additional income support at a time of year of greater financial strain. But, Labour in government is determined to also ensure that the everyday quality of life for senior citizens in their own community is improved. That’s why we secured investment of €133 million in community programmes, including €46million for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme and €45 million for LEADER. This includes funding for senior alerts, which supports the provision of monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their own homes.

We have also restarted recruiting new Gardai for the first time since 2009. There will be 550 extra Gardai at work in communities around Ireland by the end of the year, as well as the rolling out of 370 new Garda vehicles as well as specialised Garda deployment vehicles. ‘More than 120,000 new jobs have now been created since the peak of the crisis in 2012. Older people have made a huge contribution to the economic recovery over recent years, in many cases they have supported adult children and their families through the worst of the crisis. As a result of the ongoing recovery, the 0.6% Pension Levy ended in 2014 and the additional 0.15% levy will expire at the end of 2015. ‘Last year, we began the process of social recovery and of restoring living standards. We have the potential to do so much more over the next five years. Labour in government wants to drive a social, cultural and community renewal with older people at its heart and with greater investment in key public services’.

Report identifies top Dublin ‘energy poverty’ areas A new report by Dublin’s energy agency Codema has identified the top 10 areas most at risk of energy poverty in the city, with sections of the inner city and parts of Cabra, Finglas and Ballyfermot highlighted as some of the areas worst affected. The Dublin City Spatial Energy Demand Analysis analysed over 200,000 dwellings in the city and used three key factors – the cost of energy, unemployment levels and the energy rating of homes in the city – to map these results and identify areas most at risk of energy poverty. Parts of Ballybough and Coolock were also included on the list. The 865 households located in these areas have a typical Building Energy Rating (BER) of E1 and

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on average would need to spend almost €2,000 a year to heat and power their homes sufficiently. The numbers of people who are unemployed or unable to work are also higher in these areas compared to other parts of the city, meaning that these households are most at risk of not being able to heat or power their homes to an adequate degree when all factors are taken into account. The areas (not in any order) are: Cromcastle area of Coolock, Cappagh Road area of Finglas, Decies / Muskerry Road area of Ballyfermot, Landen / Lally Road area of Ballyfermot, sections of Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin 7, Belvidere Avenue area of Ballybough, Ventry Park area of Cabra West, Arran Quay, Sherrard Avenue area of Ballybough, Cabra Road area of Cabra.

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At the launch from left: An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, Don Morgan, Rob Morgan, Ben Morgan and Omar Ishrak, Medtronic, CEO

Irish Heart Foundation and Medtronic launch free national blood pressure roadshow The Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) has warned that hundreds of thousands of adults in Ireland are not aware that they have high blood pressure and run the risk of a heart attack or a stroke unless they get it checked. The warning came as the organisation launched its Free National Blood Pressure Roadshow with the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD and Medtronic CEO, Omar Ishrak. The

Roadshow is being rolled out across the country with the support of Medtronic, a global leader in medical technology.

to arteries, heart and kidneys without a person’s knowledge, it often fails to get any attention as it can be silent and symptomless.

According to the national charity which fights heart disease and stroke, many adults react to health symptoms such as flu, back ache or toothache. But when it comes to high blood pressure, which is known as the ‘silent killer’ because it can cause serious internal damage

Sons of the late Father Ted star Dermot Morgan, Don, Rob and Ben, were also on hand to launch the Roadshow, which will visit 45 locations across the country over the coming weeks.

The Limerick Older Peoples Council at its first meeting

A key objective of the Age Friendly Limerick Strategy 2015-2020 was delivered recently when the Limerick Older People’s Council held its inaugural meeting at County Hall in Dooradoyle. Comprising 36 members drawn from Active Retirement and Senior Citizen Groups, Probus Groups and the Limerick Seniors Forum, the Older People’s Council has been established to become the voice of Limerick’s older people ensuring they are involved in decisions that affect their lives. The forum has been set up by Limerick City & County Council as part of its commitment under the Strategy. Figures from the Central Statistic Office show that while the population of Limerick grew by

3.4% (3,187 people) between 2006 and 2011, the number of people aged between 55 and 85 years increased by 13.4%. Furthermore, the average age of a person living in Limerick in 2006 was 35.6 years of age in 2006 compared to 36.5 years of age just five years later.

Guide to pet friendly attractions Increasingly dog lovers are more and more unhappy leaving their much loved companions behind when travelling. The result is more and more people wanting to bring their dog with them on breaks. The challenge is that ‘pet friendly’ often means very different things in different places. The problem is the reality often fails to match the marketing, with unhappy pet owners and stressed dogs. It can be very difficult to get accurate, up-to- date information information, specifically as to what pet friendly / dogs’ welcome’ really means and what restrictions, if any, apply. To make it even more difficult, many hotel websites give no details of their pet policies. WoofAdvisor provides comprehensive listings of pet friendly accommodation, destinations, dog-friendly amenities (beaches, parks), and pet services (vets, doggie day care).

The rollout of the Limerick Age Friendly Programme is being overseen by the Limerick Age Friendly Alliance, which comprises representatives from Limerick City and County Council, An Garda Síochána, the HSE, local academic institutions and voluntary organisations from across Limerick.

WoofAdvisor helps you plan your trip around your pet and his/her needs: from finding / checking out the premises in terms of petspecific reviews / pet policies, what you need to bring, to what amenities and facilities are available for your dog in the vicinity of your final destination.

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The Community Section, Limerick City & County Council, Tel. 061 407 155 or email customerservices@limerick.ie .

4 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Profile

Time traveller Nigel Baxter talks to Michael Palin about Python days and his endless travels, ahead of his three Irish shows later this month

You might recall how, at some stage over the past 50 odd years, you took a journey with Michael Palin. Arguably, the journey has never really stopped. From Pole To Pole, around the New Europe, across the great oceans and up to the Himalayas, he’s been there, and before all that

there was the small matter of Monty Python and the holy grail and The Life of Brian and God knows what else. He’s been a fixture in our lives, and a welcome one. As he says himself: ‘I’ve been incredibly lucky.’ Michael’s seemingly endless travels bring him back to Ireland at the end of this month for The

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Thirty Years Tour, a stage show to mark the publication in paperback of his third and most recent volume of diaries, Travelling To Work, which covers the years 1988 to 1998. The show will have Michael, aided by archive footage, photographs and recordings, casting a long look back at what has been a truly remarkable life.

A BETTER FUTURE

FOR OLDER PEOPLE

a few years he had married wife Helen, met Terry Jones, a future Monthy Python partner, and was working for the Frost Report. After all that, the graph just kept going up and up. By 1969 the first Python series was aired as the group became the Beatles of alternative comedy. Michael wrote and starred in the Python films which have become cornerstones of modern popular culture, then later we had his brilliant turn in A Fish Called Wanda, and then he turned himself into the David Attenborough of travel programmes.

I joke to Michael (he laughed; he didn’t have to but he did) that when I looked up the ‘long’ version of his CV, printed on his website, it took me most of the night. ‘Sorry about that,’ he chuckles, but my comment wasn’t entirely tongue in cheek. Now aged 72, he seems to have lived three lives. Born in Sheffield in 1943, his first stage appearance while at school resulted in him falling off stage. Chances are it got a laugh, and by the time he’d wended his way to university at Brasenose College Oxford, he was a regular thespian. At college he began writing comedy while reading history. Within

It’s mind boggling, so it’s not surprising to hear that he’s happy with the way it all turned out. ‘There are moments where I could say my career could have gone more towards acting, I could have gone on to being a more ‘regular’ performer, but then I think, well, what has enriched my life is going off in all sorts of directions,’ he says. ‘Some of them have been cul -de-sacs, but not many.’ Recent diaries The most recent diaries begin at a time when Michael was about to embark on one of his most famous journeys, Around the World in 80

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Days. It became a TV classic, but it’s remarkable now to consider that at least four people had turned it down before the opportunity landed on Michael’s desk. When he says ‘I’ve never regretted it’, it’s a stylish understatement. The show perfected the template: Michael as an engaged, humane and always interested travel companion for the viewers at home. Looking back, he says people responded to seeing other people from different parts of the world but broadly living similar lives. ‘When we did the series we talked to people doing their everyday things, rather than trying to put a perspective on it, of experts talking about global warming’ he says. ‘It was really just about the people you find out there, whose lives can be just a daily grind like our own.’ Before that series he had made a programme about the Derry to Kerry train journey, something that allowed him to seek out i nformation about his Irish-born great-grandmother. He says now that it is his family that imbued him with a work ethic which has stood him in good stead over the decades - even if it meant he ultimately parted from the script his parents had written for him.

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‘My mother and father always had the virtue of work and doing things and being involved in things,’ he says, ‘but I think it was partly due to the fact that I didn’t fall into what my father perhaps hoped I would, which was some professional job, I don’t know, whatever. I bluffed my way through university doing comedy and writing comedy material and then we got our first job in the Frost Report, and it was always a series of just bluffing my way through, saying ‘I’m sure we can write this up, I’m sure we can do this. There were no clear parameters.’. He talks about the enduring ‘fear of the freelance’ and of getting to the stage where, in most areas of his working life, he doesn’t feel the need to be so competitive any more. Novel writing - he has already penned two - is the one area in which he still feels a drive to match and beat what else is out there. He prefers to keep looking forward, whether it’s from the Python reunion mega-shows or his own trip down memory lane. ‘I’ve had a fairly long life now in the business, getting on for 50 years, so there is an awful lot of material from the past that people want to know about,’ he says. ‘So if you’re not very

Michael Palin with wife Helen

careful you’ll spend most of your time talking about things you’ve done rather than concentrating on something new. So that’s why I’m quite enjoying doing this series of shows for the book and that will give me a chance to talk about that in my own way, talk with the audience, hopefully get their reactions, and then I can leave that and get on with something new.’ It promises to be a few evenings of glowing reflection, spent in the company of someone whose hugely likable screen persona seems to match the man in real life. ‘I don’t feel I have got to retirement age,’ he says in words that should inspire anyone of similar vintage. ‘When I was 65 I didn’t feel ‘well, that’s it, I’ll put my feet up’. Absolutely not. There is more and more to do.’.

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Michael Palin’s The Thirty Years Tour will play at the Cork Opera House on October 28, Dublin’s Olympia Theatre on October 29 and Belfast’s Waterfront Hall on October 30. Travelling To Work is published by Wiedenfeld & Nicolson.

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Travel

Claire Bourke, who has lived in the French capital for some years, offers a guide to some of its lesser known attractions, centering on her adopted area, Monmartre

Paris..but not as you know it Square Suzanne Buisson : Most tourists never hear of this square or even see it. The rooftop terrace at the hidden gem that is the Terrass Hotel

Monmartre is like a little Paris within Paris, and is Paris’ famous artistic neighbourhood. Forgo the touristic spots, get away from the ‘Amelie’ strip, and discover some secret gems only known to locals. Mingle with Parisians in bustling food markets, visit the small streets that are a reminder that Montmartre was once quiet countryside and discover a hotel-top bar to watch the sun set over the Eiffel Tower.. Enquire when making your hotel booking about arranging a shuttle bus service from the airport direct to your hotel, or consult the many companies online (www.supershuttle.com, www.airport-shuttle.com/, www.parisshuttleservice.com). Stay off the beaten track in Terrass (www.terrass-hotel.com) 182, 12-14 Rue Joseph de Maistre). The hotel has been around for more than a century and was refurbished entirely in 2015. The Terrass hotel is a hidden gem: great location (within walking distance of sights like the Sacre-Coeur, Place Tertre, Montmartre Cemetery and the Saint Ouen Flea Market), and fabulous views from its rooftop terrace of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, perfect after a day’s sightseeing. Room Tip: Request a large room rather than a room with a view. The big rooms have stylish bathtubs. Since early times Montmartre has always been a place of worship: from the Gallic Druids and the Romans with their temples honouring Mars and Mercury, to the oldest church in Paris, L’Eglise Saint-Pierre, and finally, the Sacré Coeur Basilica which was built during the 19th century. An inspiring and rare way to discover this lesser known facet of the hill’s soul would be spending a night in the Maison d’accueil d’Ephrem, the guesthouse of the famous Basilica of Sacré Coeur, which offers you the chance to stay in the heart of Montmartre for as little as 15 euro per night, ‘prayers for your immortal soul included.’ The only drawback to your stay would be the relatively early curfew (10pm), but that would be a small price to pay for the spiritual journey and religious hospitality you would begetting in return. A booking to the Ephrem guesthouse can be made at adoremus@sacre-coeur-montmartre.com – email replies take about aweek. The Ephrem guesthouse’s address is: Maison D’Accueil Ephrem 33, Rue Du Chevalier De La Barre, 75018, Paris. Tel: 0033 1 53418909 www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/english/guesthouse-and-pilgrimages/article/ the-guesthouse-of-the-basilica. 12 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Other hotels with reasonable prices and excellent facilities include the 2 star Comfort Hotel Place du Tertre www.comfort-placedutertre.com/hotel-en_INDEX ( rooms from €75) as well as the large Hotel Regyns Montmartre, with rooms starting at €80 (www.hotel-regyns-paris.com/). The location is magnificent: right on the Place des Abbesses with a metro stop on your doorstep. Other well-rated hotels in the heart of Montmartre include the Bonséjour Montmartre www.hotel-bonsejour-montmartre.fr/, ( about €80 a night ), the Hotel Audron www.hotelaudran.com ( €80) and the pleasantly named My Hotel inFrance Montmartre www.hotel-basss.com ( €90) at the foot of the hill.

Saint Denis

On Wednesdays and Saturdays until 1pm, visit Rue Ordener’s outdoor market between rues Montcalm and Championnet,

Take the Metro to Notre-Dame-de-Lorette (line12), and walk this market street, a favourite with locals. Lined withspecialty food shops, excellent cheese shops, butchers, fish shops, fruit and vegetable vendors and even supermarkets, you can findeverything you need for a gourmet meal at home along Rue des Martyrs.

For a glimpse into traditional Parisian markets, on Wednesdays and Saturdays until 1pm, visit Rue Ordener’s outdoor market (Rue Ordener, between rues Montcalm and Championnet, 75018 Paris, Jules Joffrin station, Métro line 12). Mingle among Parisiens shopping for seasonal fruit and vegetables in this market created in March 1888, or sip a coffee in one of the many bistrots and people-watch. On the nearby Rue de Ronsard, the museum in the former Halle Saint Pierre covered market in the shadow of Sacré-Coeur specialises in contemporary & experimental paintings & graphic art www.hallesaintpierre.org/, 2 Rue Ronsard, 75018 Paris, +33 1 42 58 7289, temporary exhibitions: €8.50, reduced price €6.50), in addition to local exhibitons, a gift shop and a pleasant café all set inside an old renovated warehouse.

at high prices, Le Gabin (25, rue Lambert, 75018 Paris, telephone: 01 53 28 27 93), a very small and very local restaurant will be just what you seek. Tasty dishes, with friendly staff, and a one-, two-, or three-course lunch from 10 to 15 Euro! Set away from the touristy cafés on the Rue des Abbesses, La Mascotte dishes up some of Paris’s best fruits de mer and sole meunière. This typical Parisian brasserie is open 7/7 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (52 Rue des Abbesses, 75018 Paris, www.la-mascotte-montmartre.com/). A little-known bistrot, in a great location for people watching, is Le Nazir, 56 Rue des Abbesses, 75018 Paris, +33 1 46 06 07 17.

Far from the Sacré-Coeur hubbub, Villa Leandre, a discreet street named after local comedian Charles Leandre, reminds us that Montmartre was once quiet countryside, before being annexed to Paris

After lunch, stroll up and down rue Durantin and discover the ‘Monmartoises’ (‘from Montmartre’) shops windows (from the number 17 to 35). The characteristic of this street is that old signs have been kept to preserve its authenticity. Discover for example an accountant (n°17) or a crèche (n° 26) inside ancient ‘Boulangeries’. While walking, look at the building fronts: they date from the 19th century and are now protected.

The Church of Saint Peter of Montmartre (église Saint-Pierre de Montmartre) is the oldest surviving church in Paris, dating from the 12th Century

Far from the Sacré-Coeur hubbub, Villa Leandre, a discreet street named after local comedian Charles Leandre, reminds us that Montmartre was once quiet countryside, before being annexed to Paris in 1860.

in 1860. It is one of the quietest and more expensive streets in Paris where you will find yourself in a world that does not resemble Paris: houses built in the Anglo-Saxon style with traditional front gardens. Stroll 20m ahead of Villa Leandre to Square Suzanne Buisson - this small square is hidden from the public eye. Most tourists never hear of this square or even see it, unknowingly walking past the entry steps as it sits elevated above Rue Junot. An area terraced in 1951 in Art Deco style, it has a statue of St Denis in the centre of the garden, a children’s playground and open space and benches to rest for a Montmartre moment. 7 bis Girardon 75018

Oldest church in Paris

Romantic and poetic yet strangely obscure, the lyrically named Allée des Brouillards (the Alley of Mists), linking the Square Suzanne Buisson to Place Dalida (metro Lamarck - Caulaincourt, line 12) and the eponymous Chateau des Brouillards which borders it are two Montmartre legends which seem to have remained surprisingly untouched by time. This charming area appreciated by artists like the poet Nerval, the painter Modigliani and the filmmaker Jean Renoir to name but a few.

Le Gabin restaurant In Montmartre, hungry and looking for lunch but tired of tourist food

The Church of Saint Peter of Montmartre (église Saint-Pierre de Montmartre) is the oldest surviving church in Paris, dating from the 12th Century but the lesser known of the two main churches in Montmartre, the other being the more famous 19th-century Sacré-Cœur Basilica. The church contains some original Roman columns - it is said that Dante came here to pray. Paris is not the first city that usually comes to mind when one thinks windmills. Hard as it is to imagine, until the beginning of the 20th century the Parisian landscape was dotted with numerous mills, which once numbered more than 300. The Radet (83, Rue Lepic) and the Blute–Fin (now part of an Italian/French restaurant located on the corner of Rue Girardon) are the sole survivors, which collectively form the grounds of the legendary Moulin de la Galette, known for its illustrious ball immortalised by Renoir’s painting Bal du Moulin de la Galette). As you wind down in the early evening, sip a refreshing drink on the elegant rooftop terrace and restaurant of the Terrass Hotel with stunning panoramic views of the Paris rooftops and be dazzled by the light show that is the Eiffel Tower occurring each hour on the hour. 12 Rue Joseph de Maistre, 75018 Paris Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie 13

The popular 69 bus is a great way to see many of the Paris sights

Fine Dining Montmartre offers an excellent selection of restaurants, discretely hidden away from the tourist traps with waiters waving menus on the pavement. Some of the addresses whispered conspiratorially between locals: Miroir, 94 r. des Martyrs 75018 Paris, +331 46 06 50 73, www.restaurantmiroir.com Bistro Poulbot, 39 rue lamarck 75018 Paris,+33 1 46 06 86 00, www.bistropoulbot.com Specialising in all thing poultry: LE COQ RICO, 98 r. Lepic 75018 Paris, +331 42 59 82 89 www.en.lecoqrico.com/ And finally, want to pack as much of Paris as possible into your pocket? Check out these 10 indispensable apps for your smartphone: bit.ly/1haJPg1, including scrolling through the best of 1200 Paris pâtisseries, sorted by speciality, arrondissement and quality, and ‘Where to pee in Paris - public toilets’.

you’ll pass the Jardin des Plantes and Notre Dame cathedral; then you’ll continue along the Seine to the Musée d’Orsay, Place de la Concorde, and Place de la Madeleine. Bus 42 The 42 bus route begins at the Gare du Nord train station and cuts diagonally across Paris going through Place de la Opéra, past the grand Garnier Opéra, around Place de la Madeleine and Église Madeleine, through Place de la Concorde, up the lower ChampsÉlysées, across the Seine on the Pont de l’Alma bridge, along the Left Bank quais of the Seine, through the Champs de Mars and around the Eiffel Tower. Bus 69 The 69 bus goes from Gambetta (in the 20th arrondissement) to Champ de Mars (in the8th) and back. If you take the bus towards the Champ de Mars you’ll see the following things along the ride: Cimetière du Père Lachaise, Bastille, St Paul, the Louvre, St. Germain, Invalides Musée d’Orsay, the Invalides and finally a view of the Eiffel Tower and the Champ de Mars.

Transport information: Paris public transport system, one of the world’s most comprehensive and efficient, includes the Métro (lines 1 - 14), the RER (light sub’ costs €1.80, and is valid for transport on the metro, RER, bus, tram and Montmartre Cable car (Funiculaire de Montmartre). A ‘carnet’ (karn-ay) of 10 single-use tickets costs €14.10. Carnets can be purchased on arrival at airports and in tobacconists. Paris Visite travel cards are available for 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/r_61654/parisvisite/, and offer 20% reduction to certain monuments). However, these passes do not represent good value, as a traveller almost never makes more than the ten journeys daily needed to make the purchase worthwhile. Line 1 of the Parisian metro crosses the French capital from west to east, and serves important sites such as the Champs-Élysées, the Louvre, Bastille, the Pompidou Museum. Paris Metro tickets are valid for transfers within 1 hour 30 minutes of first use, but only between certain methods of transport and depending on the type of transport used. For example, you cannot transfer from the Paris Metro to the Bus. Individual tickets and Carnets of tickets can be used any time, even months after they were purchased. Keep them (and all passes) away from magnets and cards with magnetic strips. Skip those huge red tourist buses and do it like a local instead, on one of the following buses: Bus 24 Bus number 24 goes all the way from Gare St-Lazare (in the 8th arrondissement) to École Vétérinaire de Maisons-Alfort (a little bit outside the city centre of Paris). On the way to the Gare St-Lazare 14 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Three popular restaurants worth checking out: Le Gabin (25, rue Lambert), La Mascotte dishes up some of Paris’s best fruits de mer and sole meunière, (52 Rue des Abbesses, 75018) and a little-known bistro, in a great location for people watching, is Le Nazir, 56 Rue des Abbesses

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Call: 01-294 1000 Visit: www.cruisescapes.ie Email: book@cruisescapes.ie Prices correct at time of going to print but are capacity controlled and may change at any time. Please call for latest prices. Fares are per person, based on twin occupancy of the lead-in cabin subject to availability. Offers may be amended or withdrawn at any time without prior notice and cannot be applied retrospectively. All bookings are subject to Fred. Olsen’s standard terms and conditions, available at the website. In the event of making a booking from this advertisement, your holiday contract will be with the Reseller, Cruisescapes, not Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Terms and conditions apply. Some ports may be at anchor, intermediate days at sea. FOCL reserve the right to amend itineraries for operational reasons. ‘pp’ is per person, ‘pppn’ is per person per night. E&OE. ** All inclusive-upgrade covers selected house wines by the glass, selected beers, spirits and soft drinks, subject to availability. Tours, tips, medical facilities and other spend, during travel to the ship and while on board are not included. Any additional expenditure will need to be paid separately. Refer to website for full terms and conditions.

Health

Vaccination is the only protection 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. Most people recover from flu in 2-7 days. 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. 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. Some people may need hospital treatment and a number of people die from flu each winter. Flu is spread by coughing and sneezing. Anyone with flu can be infectious from 1 day before to 3-5 days after onset of symptoms. This means that you can pass on flu or the flu virus to somebody even before you know that you are sick. Each year the seasonal (annual) flu vaccine contains three common flu virus strains. The flu virus changes each year this is why a new flu vaccine has to be given each year. This year’s flu vaccine contains the Swine Flu strain which is likely to be one of the common strains causing flu this winter. 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

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 your pneumococcal vaccine. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) is recommended for those aged 65 years and older and those over 2 years with long term medical conditions. This vaccine protects against 23 types of pneumococcal disease including those most likely to cause severe disease. Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection. The bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease live in the nose and throat. A person who carries the bacteria can spread the disease by coughing, sneezing or even breathing. Pneumococcal disease can cause serious illness including Pneumonia, Meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain) or Septicaemia (blood poisoning). You only need to get pneumococcal vaccine ONCE after you reach 65. If you received your first dose of this vaccine before you reached 65 years of age you should receive a second dose at least 5 years after the first dose. If you are under 65 you may need a second dose if

those with long term medical conditions e.g. heart or lung disease

You have no spleen or your spleen is not working properly,

all frontline healthcare workers including carers

You have a medical condition causing a weakened immune system.

Vaccination should ideally be undertaken in late September or 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 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 GP, Public Health Nurse or pharmacist. www.immunisation.ie provides details about flu vaccination, along with answers to any questions you may have about flu.

16 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

You cannot get pneumococcal disease from the vaccine as it does not contain live bacteria. You can get the flu vaccine at the same time as your pneumococcal vaccine. The vaccine and consultation are free to those within the recommended groups who have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘GP Visit Card’. GPs 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 or Public Health Nurse. www.immunisation.ie provides details about flu vaccination, along with answers to any questions you may have.

EVERY YEAR FLU CAUSES SEVERE ILLNESS AND DEATH. IF YOU ARE:

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Flynn Medical Exercise Clinic Your Medical Exercise Professional

Are you worried that you or a loved one might be at risk during your day-to-day, or when exercising? Are you concerned that either one of you could have a hidden underlying heart or lung condition? Here at Flynn Medical Exercise, our qualified healthcare professionals are the experts in safe, effective exercise. When you avail of our scientific Medical Health and Exercise assessments, you’ll get a comprehensive picture of your health which you can’t get anywhere else. Just some of the unique elements we examine: • Percentage Body Fat Percentage Body Fat has replaced Body Mass Index as the most advanced indicator of overweight and obesity. It accurately tells us your Basal Metabolic Rate (how fast your body burns calories) and the exact total weight of the fat in your body - very helpful when you consider that each kilogram of fat in your body takes roughly 3,500 calories to burn off!

• Lung Function Your lungs breath in and out 15-25 times every minute of every hour of every day, so keeping an eye on them is vital. If your lung function is reduced, then you’re more likely to die younger! However, the earlier we find out, the quicker we can train up your lungs to be fitter and healthier again.

So it’s not all bad news! Exercising under the supervision of our physiotherapists can help train up your whole body which increases your chances of living a longer, healthier life. Why not book your health check up with Flynn Medical Exercise today, and start a new, healthier chapter in your life.

WEB: www.flynnmedicalexercise.com; EMAIL: info@flynnmedicalexercise.com; PHONE: +353861546175 18 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Visit us at www.servatus.ie or our dedicated Retirement Planning website www.retirementplanningireland.ie To arrange a free consultation call: 01-5547310 23 Fitzwilliam Street Upper, Dublin 2.

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20 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Travel

Derby winner

Lorna Hogg finds plenty to interest in the city of Derby and the Derbyshire Dales

Chatsworth, `The Palace of the Peaks’,dates from 1552, with equally famous water cascade and gardens, its splendour and treasures have something for everyone.

‘Great place, great base.’ That’s the claim for the ancient city of Derby, and locals can back it up. They’re very proud of of their vibrant mix of heritage, their award winning food and famous ales, festivals, eclectic shopping and nightlife. It’s easily reached from Birmingham and East Midlands airports, and within a stone’s throw (and bus/train rides) of the magnificent Derbyshire Dales and Derwent Valley. There, the once`dark satanic mills’ are now UNESCO listed and bustle with visitors, as do the area’s many stately homes..

Derby’s Cathedral tower dates back to the 1500s and the area has given its name to a City Quarter noted for its architecture, restaurants and hotels.

Derby’s Cathedral tower dates back to the 1500s and the area has given its name to a City Quarter noted for its architecture, restaurants and hotels. For city centre luxury, try the comfortable Cathedral Quarter Hotel, originally a police station, or the Hallmark Midland near the train station. The comfortable Holiday Inn Express and Days Hotel are also within short walking distance of the city centre. Foodies are well looked after in Derby, thanks to artisan skills and local produce. Try the local dish – pyclets, or flat crumpets, at Pyclet Parlour in the splendid Victorian Market Hall. Don’t miss Jack Rabbits, a top rated spot for local food. La Bistro Pierre, plus Wonky Table and Masa are local favourites. If you like traditional atmospheric pubs, Ye Olde Dolphin, The Silk Mill Ale House and The White Swan fit the bill. Some pubs come complete with ghost, befitting Britain’s most haunted city! You can also take a Ghost Walk, and even endure an overnight Gaol Vigil.

welcoming museum of all Derby’s industry. Train buffs will love The Railway Quarter, where up to 8000 men built Britain’s locomotives for almost a century. Steel, wood and paint rolled in, and steam engines rolled out, plus armaments and `Bomber Repair’ during world wars. The Roundhouse, built in 1839, contains the only remaining central turntable in the world, which allowed sixteen locomotives to be simultaneously worked on. Recently restored and now part of Derby College, it hosts tours.

Factory first..

China light

They know how to make industry interesting in Derby. The world’s first factory, the water powered Silk Mill was built here As part of the Derwent Valley Mill Complex, it lies at the start of the UNESCO listed Derwent Valley Mill complex and is now a thoroughly modern, inclusive and

Factory tours abound these days. However, few can offer the entire manufacturing process on a continuously used century old site. Royal Crown’s Derby’s tour allows access to virtually all areas. So, you can see (and ask!) just how artists and craftsmen and women turn raw clay - and

22 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Photographs courtesy of visitpeakdistrict.com

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The charming town of Matlock

Thrill seekers might prefer the cable car ride to The Heights of Abraham, near Matlock Bath, to see the gorge views and show caverns of the area.

some brown coloured brown gold paint, into collectable hand painted fine bone china. Admire displays of international commissions, visit the museum, or `spot which china service’ in film stills from Downton Abbey and various Jane Austen productions. Then, finish with a Royal Crown Derby served cuppa in the 1750 Cafe, and visit the shop, not forgetting the `seconds.’

No trouble at mills.. Travel back to the eighteenth century on the fifteen miles of Derwent Valley Mills, from Derby to Matlock Bath. You can explore mill complexes and villages, shop, watch looms cluttering and drive belts whirring all in the magnificent Dales countryside. You can see contemporary views of how of early industry looked by the famous Wright of Derby, at Derby Museum and Art Gallery. One of the most complete mill village complexes, Darley Abbey, is also within walking distance of the city. Get some route advice at Derby Tourist Office and ask about the Derby Wayfarer Day Rover ticket. It gives travel on the nippy TransPeak buses and local trains to many attractions. One of them is Belper, home to the famous `fireproof’ Strutt’s North Mill, and a `must see’. Then it’s on to Cromford and a canal walk, boat ride or village tour. You could also visit the nearby John Smedley Mill and factory shop. Cromford is home 24 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

The pretty Pudding Shop at Bakewell , The Irongate Quarter of Derby. Photo courtesy Matthew Jones Photography

to the world’s first successful water powered cotton spinning mills, built by Arkwright, and which can be visited. His home at Willersley Castle is nearby. So are the unmissable Masson Mills, (reached from Cromford or Matlock Bath) which offer machinery demonstrations, and discount shopping floors.

Rising to the Heights Thrill seekers might prefer the cable car ride to The Heights of Abraham, near Matlock Bath, to see the gorge views and show caverns of the area. Shoppers will enjoy the pretty market town of Bakewell and its great Bakewell pudding debate. Controversy over which shop has the oldest recipe started in the 1800s, when one local cook stirred the mix into the pudding, rather than putting it on top of the jam. Research with an even handed visit to both The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop and The Bakewell Tart Shop and Coffee House.

Palaces and panelling Stately houses don’t always live up to their reputation – Chatsworth, `The Palace of the Peaks’, exceeds it. Dating from 1552, with equally famous water cascade and gardens, its splendour and treasures have something for everyone. You can see documents signed by Queen Elizabeth, superb architecture, art and design. You can stroll in gardens,

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Derby’s Cathedral tower dates back to the 1500’s.

A Royal Derby Crown bear. Royal Crown’s Derby’s tour allows access to virtually all areas.

browse the Farm Shop, or sample local produce at formal and informal restaurants and the excellent farm shop cafe, or just settle under a tree with a view. Chatsworth is reachable on the TransPeak bus line, from Derby, or train and bus from Chesterfield. If Chatsworth is splendid, Haddon Hall, near Bakewell, is enchanting. Entering the fortified mediaeval manor, you step into fourteenth and fifteenth century life. Visit old kitchens, complete with slaughter area, pastry and bread ovens, and spits. See the Chapel, wander through the famous Long Gallery, Banqueting Hall and the cosy Tudor Parlour along winding stone passages onto the terraced gardens. Overlooking the river Derwent, they were originally intended as part of the overall manorial design. Complete with topiaries and a `knot garden,’ they offer peaceful outdoor nooks and crannies with views. Haddon, near Bakewell also has an excellent cafe/restaurant, and is reachable on the TransPeak bus service. Hardwick Hall, just a stone’s throw from the ruins of Hardwick Old Hall, was built to impress – and so it does. Bess of Hardwick, the richest women in Tudor England after the Queen, incorporated splendid carvings, tapestries , and paintings in her design. All were lit by bright sunlight, as Hardwick Hall – `more glass than wall’, must have shocked the locals in 1500s, in times when window tax was exorbitant. Get there from Chesterfield, and by local bus. Kedleston Hall, the seat of the Curzon family, is just a short bus/taxi ride from Derby, and its perfect Georgian symmetry is surrounded by Capability Brown landscaping. Magnificent rooms, a dome topped entrance hall and pretty Chapel make it perfect for an afternoon visit. Chatsworth featured in the most recent Pride and Prejudice film, and The Duchess. Haddon Hall has hosted no less than three Jane Eyres, plus `Pride and Prejudice’, Elizabeth and The Other Boleyn Girl. Kedleston Hall also appeared in `The Duchess’, `Jane Eyre’ and `Women in Love.’ 26 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Masson Mill is a UNESCO World Heritage site

Further information www.visitderby.com Derby Tourist Information Centre Tel. 0044 1332 255802 www.visitpeakdistrict.com www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk www.royalcrownderby.co.uk www.roundhouse-events.co.uk www.derbygaol.com

www.nationaltrust.org.uk www.chatsworth.org www.haddonhall.co.uk www.heightsofabraham.com www.derwentvalleymills.org

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ww Home Instead Senior Care is launching a new campaign designed to make the community more dementia friendly. Through the Dementia Friendly Business programme, the home care provider will provide free training to businesses throughout the country to help equip employees with information and resources needed to welcome families who are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.

w. H

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In a recent survey of Alzheimer’s caregivers, 83 percent reported that they and their loved ones have become more isolated from the community as a result of the disease. Furthermore, 86 percent reported that they feel isolated and spend less time in the community as a result of caregiving responsibilities*. “For many caregivers, the unpredictable nature of the disease can make going out in public with their loved one intimidating,” said Ed Murphy, CEO and Founder of Home Instead Senior Care in Ireland. “Our research shows that family caregivers might be reluctant to frequent public places because of the behaviours that could be associated with the disease.” Census forecasts predict the population of people with dementia will increase from an estimated 48,000 at present to around 140,000 by 2041 — a 240% increase of the 2006 figure of 41,447. 28 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

“Given the statistics, most businesses that deal with the public will be serving people with dementia and their families,” said Murphy. “It’s critical that businesses start working now to build dementia friendly communities to better serve their customers with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.” Businesses can work directly with the local Home Instead Senior Care office to coordinate in-person training. Once the training is successfully completed, businesses will receive a window cling with the Dementia Friendly Business designation. The designation will be valid for two years.

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Travel

Market magic Lorna Hogg looks at Christmas markets packages on offer this year When it comes to traditional Christmas Markets, Prague and Krakow are always amongst top choices. Along with unspoiled architecture with fairylit stalls, hot spicy snacks, artisan crafts and carols, there is the possibility of a snow sprinkled break. With value deals for under €200, it’s hardly surprising Irish visitors return – and return. Prague is offered by Click & Go, with a 3 night trip, 4 star hotel 2 adults sharing, B&B double room, with return flights for €199 PPS in December. Krakow is available from €159pp, 3 nights, 2 adults share, 3 star apartments, December dates. Click & Go also have good deals to Vienna, Berlin and Budapest. www.clickandgo.ie Vienna oozes style – from Demel’s lavish Christmas window confectionery displays, to traditional coffee shops, concerts, shopping and fiacre rides, so you’ll never be bored here. Pick gifts from 150 stalls in markets spread throughout this atmospheric city. Add in some inclusive sightseeing with Travel Department’s deals for Vienna in Nov/Dec. A 3 night break, B&B in a 4 star hotel, plus an inclusive visit to the Schonbrunn Palace, starts from €399 PPS, including flights, excursions, accomodation and taxes. Travel Department also offers several other destinations, including KRAKOW, departing on 29th November, with 4 nights at a three star hotel, for €399. Once there, you can enjoy an inclusive full city walking tour and plus a visit to the famous Wieliczka Salt Mines. Cost from €399, flights included, plus accomodation and excursions. www.traveldepartment.ie Tel. 01 637 1650 If you’re looking for a value break, but to a more unusual destination, how about Amsterdam or Munich? lowcostholidays offers good deals to both - Munich on 12th December, 4 star hotel from €260 PP, B&B. Enjoy market traditions dating back the fifteenth century, with gingerbread and sugar plums and almonds,

and admire beautiful artisan crystal and artisan wooden gifts. The Amsterdam break also departs on 12th December, with 4 star hotel, 2 nights acccomodation and return flights from Dublin, from €156 B&B. Once there, you can enjoy the traditional market in the atmospheric Leidesplein and Rembrandsplein. Alternately, take the short train ride to picture postcard Haarlem, complete with canal and windmill, and which holds a Dickens Market, starting from 12th – 13th December. Lowcostholidays also has a good choice of other destinations, including Prague Vienna and Budapest. www.lowcostholidays.ie Tel. 01 4853835 Why not combine a Christmas Markets with a late holiday break, on an organised tour or a river cruise? Sunway has some excellent escorted Christmas market tours, combining beautiful cities with the chance to admire and buy the local craft in festive surroundings. The 8 day German Christmas markets escorted tour by luxury coach through the scenery around the Rhine, Black Forest, Bavarian Alps, takes in Frankfurt, Rothenburg, Nuremberg, Erfurt, Dresden and Leipzig, plus Berlin. With plenty of `insider moments’ this comprehensive tour is available in November and December from €1569 PP. Sunway also offers a luxury 7 night river cruise, Christmas on the Rhine, on the luxurious Ama Certo. Board at Basel to take in cities such as Strasbourg, Heidelberg and the superb Christmas market destination, Cologne, en route to Amsterdam. Departures - 14th December, including flights from Ireland, transfers, de luxe accomodation, tours, fine dining with beer and wine included at meals, themed dinners plus entertainment. Prices from €1997, PPS. www.sunway.ie/rivercruise/ Tel. 01 231 1868. www.sunway.ie/escorted-tours

30 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

There’s style and luxury, - and then there’s Uniworld Boutique cruising, known for the comfort of the vessels, the standard of inclusive escorted local trips, on-board accomodation and fine dining. With such style, the only surprise is the value of this 8 day European holidays markets cruise, on the River Princess. Departing Vienna on 15th December from €1485PP (flights extra.) It’s an all inclusive cruise in the lap of luxury – superb dining, inclusive fine wines, beverages, transfers and lectures on board, plus trips and entertainment. You will take in the Vienna markets, encounter fairytale villages and conclude in the ancient and beautiful Nuremburg, deep in Bavaria and famed for its market. www.uniworld.com/ie/cruises/ holiday-markets/european-holidaymarkets/2015/pricing Tel. 1800 98 98 98 If you can’t make it all the way to a German Market Christmas such as Frankfurt, then why not meet it half way? For two decades, the Frankfurt Christmas market in Birmingham has drawn visitors to sample 180 traditional stalls, offering wares ranging from crystal to hand woven rugs. You can revive yourself with plenty of pretzels, bratwurst and gluhwein before examining the wide range of local artisan produce or even taking a turn on the outdoor skating rink. Pierce Kavanagh Coaches is offering 2 night coach trips on 22nd November, with return ferry crossing, coach transfers and two nights accomodation in Birmingham city centre , from €169pps. They also have other UK shopping destinations, and trips to other UK destinations and both Dublin and Belfast, the latter two from €139 PPS. www.kavanaghcoaches.com Tel. 0818-365-265 All prices and tours are correct at time of going to press.

The National Dairy Council

Nutrition&You Series The ‘Nutrition & You’ series has been developed by the National Dairy Council and endorsed by the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute to highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle throughout the life stages.

50+ Years Nutrition&You

In Ireland, as in many countries in the world, people are now living longer than ever before. To enjoy this phase of life to the full we need to maintain our energy and vitality – whether we choose to continue working into our later years, take up new hobbies or run after the grandchildren!

50+ Years

This booklet highlights the importance of a nutritious diet and active lifestyle at this stage of life. It provides advice for positive ageing with top tips on healthy living such as bone and muscle health, keeping active, dental health and practical food choices. 3724_NDC_AdultNutrition_50yrs_v9.indd 1

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aged 5 years and up

The National Dairy Council Innovation House, 3 Arkle Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18, Ireland t: +353 (0)1 290 2451 e: nutrition@ndc.ie w: www.ndc.ie NDCIreland

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07/08/2015 14:41

Lorna Hogg reports on how you can help make your home difficult for burglers to enter when you are away

Home security

Going away?

Don’t have a shocking return Home security – when we’re there, and not there, is of major importance to all of us. Especially so when loved ones may be alone, isolated, elderly and perhaps extra vulnerable. So it’s comforting to know that we can take simple steps to increase that security, and also take advantage of the latest security hardware to add another level of protection, from burglary, smoke or carbon dioxide inhalation or a medical emergency.

A LIVED IN LOOK – use timers to help lights/radio to switch on at

Home safety is not usually near to the top of holiday makers’ last minute planning – we’re often more preoccupied with concerns about currency, holiday insurance and flight timings. However, coming home to the results of a burglary can mar or even spoil a holiday memory – especially if easy entry was involved. Who knows better what can go wrong than a security company - so, before you close the front door, make sure to check through the handy list of last minute home safety checks suggested by Mercury Security Management.....

EVERYBODY NEEDS GOOD NEIGHBOURS – ask them to check the

LOCK BEFORE YOU GO – lock windows and doors, and fit restrictors to prevent forced entry.

differing times. QUIET, PLEASE - caring can mean not sharing – don’t widely reveal your absence from home. LIGHT LUGGAGE - don’t put your name and address on labels – just name and mobile number.

house at regular intervals. STRONG BOX SECURITY - invest in a strong box, and work out its best home location. GADGET GLEE – mark gadgets with an ultraviolet pen, and don’t leave valuables on display.. SHED YOUR FEARS – lock up ladders, tools etc. CAR SAFETY – put on the steering lock and garage your car. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING – consider investing in CCTV – check

BE ALARMED – don’t forget to set that alarm!

out the Mercury Eye for details...

SEE THE LIGHT – think about some outdoor lighting, maybe solar powered.

WELL COVERED - check the limit of time away from home covered by

NONE TO-DAY, THANKS – cancel deliveries, arrange for the post to be collected or held by An Post. 32 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

your house insurance.

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Home, secure home You don’t have to look far to realise that there are plenty of DIY security aids available to make your home safer. Start with simple, effective steps. Time after time, open or unlocked windows, ladders and old storage boxes lying about the garden or propped up at the side of a house are linked with easy access for burglars. Discourage them with prickly plants and shrubs, such as holly or pyracantha under the windows. Invest in a good cylinder (Yale) lock with a deadlock. If you’re a fan of the dangerous practice of leaving a key dangling near/ over the inside letter box, which can be fished out through the letter box to open the front door – re-think it. It’s a practice as well known to burglars as leaving that spare key under a garden ornament. Fit a basket over your letterbox, which will prevent anyone trying to reach in or insert tools through your letter box to force an entry. Not advertising your absence goes much further these days, however. True, timers can switch lights and radios on and off, and occasional visits by friends to vary the routine will help. However, these days, people who use social media share their plans, experiences and movements widely. We’re all much more open with details of our plans and activities. However, not everyone who reads, hears or overhears the details wishes you well. So when it comes to time away from home, it’s safer to save those trip details until you come back. Good friends and neighbours remain one of the best safeguards, as movement and lights in a home are one of the best protectors against burglary. Be aware, however, that it has been known for well-meaning but absent minded friends to forget to re- lock the door, so choose wisely! Finally, many people still carefully fill out their full names and addresses on those free disposable labels we often receive from tour companies. It’s safer to restrict details to name and mobile number. If the luggage is lost, there may be some form of ID in your luggage, and if you’re clearly absent from that neatly printed home address, well then..........

Alarming protection

If you feel that you need a further level of protection, perhaps due to an isolated home or solo living, then it could be time to consider a Home Alarm. Phone Watch has plans offering the latest technology, and at time of going to press, offers a package including Control pad, keypad, and motion sensors with inbuilt camera coverage, door contact, smoke alarm sensor, key pads and decoy carbon monoxide detector. At time of going to press, their standard current 6 sensor package starts from €699. Check for any available special deals on offer. The annual €420 fee covers monitoring of security cameras, panic response, labour and parts, emergency repair and maintenance and support. One of the optional extras of Phone Watch (which can be purchased only through Phone Watch) that could be of interest is a Medical Alert Key fob. It can be worn as a pendant or wrist band. It offers a panic button which will alert the service, which will then contact named key holders. Failing any contact, the Gardaí will be alerted. This service runs twenty four hours a day. www.phonewatch.ie Tel. 01 207 6100 . You can also request an online quote.

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E V R E S ” E K D A E L L R B A E A W “ R

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Loans are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. Credit Unions in the Republic of Ireland are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Gardening

No fear of winding down At 82, Jim Commins finds he is as busy as ever in the garden

The corner of the garden with the gazebo which proved somewhat troublesome to assemble.

Grandson Dara gave a hand with the planting. It was in mid-June this year when my wife Rosemarie said that she ‘was just thinking’ that as I was now approaching 82 years of age that I should consider give up planting the spuds and winding down a bit. This, I was reluctant to do as my current year’s crop was one of my best, probably because the seeds were certified and farmyard manure was used. They were British Queens, they came in really early and were ‘balls of flour’. They were dug at the beginning of June when we arrived back from the picturesque village of Ardmore. They boiled in no time and were eaten skins and all with plenty of butter and no vegetables. Scallions

dipped in salt were added as a complement. Our dessert was fresh Wexford strawberries smothered in cream. To enhance the meal we broke open a bottle of wine. What more could a body ask for? A simple but a simply delicious meal. It would probably have been a dietician’s nightmare. As I was loath in giving up growing vegetables and in order that I would not have withdrawal symptoms from winding down too rapidly, Rosemarie proposed dividing the plot into two parts. The plot was about 900 sq. feet in size and a parallelogram in shape. One half

36 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

was for vegetables and soft fruit and the other part for flowers and shrubs. With ruler and compass (they brought back memories of my early school days when I had a tin box with a compass, square and protractor) she sketched out a diagram. It was of a square with triangular corners and a circle in the centre. The circumference of the circle to be planted was marked with a string radiating from the middle. The perimeter was fenced with short wooden stakes. Paths were laid out with roofing laths for edgings and with pebbles. The wood was painted with a preservative and kept in position with trowelfuls of concrete.

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Senior Times l May-June 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie 37

Compost was added to the soil to improve the condition of the flower beds. My wife, because of her artistic talents had a keen eye for colour combinations and contrasts, undertook the selection and planting of the flowers with the aid of our grandson Dara. The old reliables, pansies, lobelias and cyclamens were chosen. A coralline plant was picked as a centerpiece for the round bed and ferns for the triangular ones. The birds and the bees were not forgotten. A separate section was reserved and wild flower seeds put down for them. Later on we had second thoughts and pulled up the shoots as soon as they appeared. This I did not mind doing because I found that breaking up clods of clay and yanking up weeds neutralized negative emotions! In the empty space we planted hydrangeas, agapanthus, hebes and aucubas, also some daffodils, pheasant-eye narcissus bulbs and crocus corms. Weed-killer was applied to the empty spaces between the beds before a membrane was laid down. It in turn was covered with bark mulch which became a happy hunting ground for blackbirds. They seemingly enjoyed themselves foraging for insects and scattering the bark all over the pebbled path. The path pebbles were delivered in a large plastic receptacle containing a ton. The stones then had to

be wheel-barrowed through the garage, over the lawn to the newly developed plot. I never sweated so much, not even in the scorching sun of Sharjah. Spreading the stones on the path was the easiest part.

For a bit of comfort, old cushions (you might need them someday) were retrieved from the attic, remodeled and recovered for the gazebo seat. At each side of the structure we placed a pot with a clematis Montana.

Decking was the next task to be tackled as a gazebo was planned for one of the corners. For it, small squares of decking wood were acquired and joined together to form a unit of 36 sq. feet. The gazebo itself came in a flat-pack and putting it together was more difficult than at first envisaged. The drilling of holes for screws by Rosemarie (one of her first choices for one of her wedding anniversaries---was a drill!) proved to be problematic. Knots in the timber prevented the bits from making holes where indicated on the assembly diagram. One would imagine that the gazebo manufacturers would pre drill holes and have some consideration for pensioners with arthritic fingers. At one stage, our 13 year old grand-daughter Sorcha who was watching us and seeing our difficulty in tightening home the screws took a screwdriver and with no bother whatsoever had them screwed in no time. Our son Sean also helped. His assistance was greatly appreciated especially in putting on the canopy and manoeuvering the completed unit into position.

The birds were still not forgotten. Two feeders, one with nuts and another with a mixture of seeds were hung from a lilac tree. They attracted finches, jackdaws, magpies and flocks of sparrows. Unfortunately the feeders had to be removed and replaced with ornamental lanterns. An object which I thought was a leaf blowing in the wind turned out to be a mouse. The ‘wee beastie’scurried along the wall for cover, to some bushes. It was neither ‘cowering nor timorous’! It was still glorious weather at the end of September. We were enjoying lattes and buttered digestive biscuits in our small summer-house feeding crumbs to a robin and throwing some to a shy dunnock that was reticent about coming too close when out of the blue, my wife looking at the other part of the garden that was now somewhat neglected, with a gleam in her eye exclaimed ‘I have just been thinking..’ Alarm bells began ringing!

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Personal finance

Taxing times ahead??? There are ways of legitimately reducing an exposure to Capital Acquisitions Tax and availing of the various reliefs such as Section 86/Dwellinghouse Relief, Agricultural Relief, Business Relief, utilisation of the small gift exemption and utilising tax thresholds effectively. John Fahy advises OJ Simpson was found not guilty on two counts of Murder, Divorce was illegal and the price of a pint was under £2, and the euro currency merely a foreign concept. This was twenty years ago and also was a time when the Inheritance Tax Thresholds were at the same low level they currently are at, given the drastic reductions made in successive Budgets since 2009. These low thresholds coupled with a recovering housing market mean that many parents, particularly in the Dublin area, are discovering it is extremely difficult to gift or bequeath their properties to their children or near relations without landing them with a hefty Inheritance/Gift Tax Bill. Capital Acquisitions Tax the collective name given to Inheritance and Gift Tax, simply put, is a tax on gifts or inheritances. The tax operates on a “lifetime” basis whereby a beneficiary ( the party receiving the gift/inheritance) pays tax at 33% on any amount which exceeds their relevant threshold. The thresholds are based on the relationship between the Donor ( party making the gift/inheritance) and the beneficiary ( the party receiving the gift/inheritance). The current thresholds are €225,000 for a Child,€30,150 for a sibling/nephew/niece/grandchild and €15,075 for all other relationships. The Parent/Child Threshold has dropped from €542,544 in 2009 to €225,000 today. (A fall of circa 60%). When you consider house prices have recovered strongly in the past few years with the average house price in South Dublin now circa €400,000 -€500,000. All of this means we have currently one of the harshest tax regimes in the world in relation to inheriting property (particularly in Dublin and its surrounds). To illustrate let’s take an example, a Father leaves under his will his estate to his two children consisting of his home €500,000) an investment property €250,000) and some savings etc. (€200,000). Back in 2009 his children would not have paid any Inheritance Tax on same. If they were to inherit the same Estate in 2015, they would be liable for an Inheritance tax Bill of€82,500 each (€165,000 in total). Indeed the Tax bill for inheriting property from a relative other than a parent is far steeper, where only a €30,150 tax threshold applies. If your Aunt bequeaths you property and the property is valued at€300,000. This will trigger a tax bill of around€90,000. 40 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Furthermore the tax is due by the 31st October in any tax year regardless of whether there are cash assets in the Estate to pay it. Pressure is building on the Government to revise the Tax Thresholds upwards and to raise same more in line with current property values. There are however ways of legitimately reducing an exposure to Capital Acquisitions Tax and availing of the various reliefs such as Section 86/ Dwellinghouse Relief, Agricultural Relief, Business Relief, utilisation of the small gift exemption and utilising tax thresholds effectively. All such reliefs are quite technical and in the case of Inheritance Tax may be overlooked unless careful consideration is given to drafting a Will or advice on tax planning is sought. Many conditions of these reliefs have been changed in recent years particularly in relation to agricultural relief with the Government tightening the requirements to avail of same. A simple example would be utilising the Small Gift Exemption of €3,000 a year. Take the example where a couple wish to benefit their son, daughter in law and three grandchildren. By utilising this relief properly they could lend assistance towards their education, living expenses, mortgage etc. Both parents can transfer €3,000 each, each year. If the couple were to gift this amount to their family, annually it is a way of transferring €30,000 each year to the family with no erosion of their family’s CAT thresholds. In reality the current regime when contrasted with other jurisdictions is entirely unfair. Many jurisdictions (such as Australia) have no inheritance tax, and the UK our nearest neighbour recently increased its thresholds and set out further changes into the future, even allowing Inheritance tax credits to people to downsize their properties with a view to getting more properties into the market. In addition most people would have paid hefty stamp duty rates (up to 9%) if the property was brought prior to 2007 and thus have already paid tax on the property. Minister Noonan has hinted that the thresholds will be reviewed in the budget however drastic revision of same is required along with more sympathetic deferred payment options. Please note the purposes of this article is informative only, expert advice should be sought in relation to the above and indeed to any area of taxation. The examples are illustrative and are based on presumptions which may not always apply given the particular circumstances. John Fahy, BCL, Solicitor STEP, is a Trust and Estate Practitioner of Elderlaw Solicitors, 6 Lower Kilmacud Road, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin. Tel :01 283 2155 E-mail ; Fahysolicitors@eircom.net Website: www.elderlaw.ie

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Food

Mairead Robinson extols the merits of taking a cookery class – at any age

Back to (cookery) school Mairead Robinson extols the merits of taking a cookery class – at any age.

Over the past few years there has been a huge increase in the number of cookery programmes on television – from celebrity chefs sharing their secrets to amateurs battling it out against the clock. The Great British Bake-Off and Come Dine With Me are just two such programmes that are now replicated all over the world in several different languages. And it seems that we are not all ‘arm-chair’ cooks ourselves, as cookery schools have been popping up all over the country and people of all ages have been learning new skills and having a lot of fun at the same time. In all my years involved in the world of food and restaurants, I only ever took one cookery class, and that was ten years ago in the beautiful Villa San Michele in Tuscany. Needless to say that was all very Italian and luxurious as we were staying in the beautiful hotel during the three days of the course. Plenty of prosecco was consumed with our culinary creations during the day and the chefs cooked up amazing dinners for us each evening. It was a fabulous holiday! But back to Ireland and the rise and rise of our interest in cooking and the range of cookery

schools, many also attached to hotels; that are offering courses of all types. One thing that I particularly like about cookery classes is their range of appeal across all ages. A big part of the fun and interest of these classes is the social interaction between both sexes and all age demographics. You see grandparents and parents with their adult children, fathers and sisters and couples and friends. It is extraordinary how broad the appeal of something as fundamental as preparing food can be. A short while ago I decided to buy a Cookery Workshop for my daughter who is a “keen foodie” and has over the last year decided to become completely vegetarian.. We had lots of vegetarian meals when she was a child – nut roasts were our Sunday favourites – but with all the new and exotic products that are available on the market these days, not to mention all the vegetables and herbs that we grow in the garden and polytunnel, new recipe ideas are always welcome. After some research I came across Cooks Academy in central Dublin and booked the one day workshop in vegetarian cooking for a surprise birthday present for her. I later decided to join her, as I thought we would have fun

42 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

working together and indeed I could certainly do with picking up some tips and tricks too. There are an incredible range of courses available at Cooks Academy from the eight week Certificate in Professional Cookery, from which many go on to open their own restaurants or guest houses; to the four week Certificate in Practical Cookery. For some this is the first step on the ladder to becoming a professional chef, caterer or opening a food business. There are one day and half day courses on all types of ethnic cookery as well as knife skills, chocolate, gluten free, bread, cup cakes, salads etc. There are even ‘men only classes’ for shy males! So off we went on a recent Saturday for our Vegetarian Workshop and were greeted with coffee and carrot cake – a great start! I loved that we got a recipe menu of ten different dishes, and we did half before lunch, and the other half afterwards. Most of the others on the course were there on their own, there was one Italian couple, and one mother with her daughter, and us. We had our own workstations, shared bits and pieces and chatted away throughout the day in a friendly atmosphere of busy activity. Our tutor Cormac, was constantly on hand as needed, and Aoife was

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busy helping us prepare ingredients, weigh and measure what we needed for each dish. We did not have to spend any time watching demonstrations, but we got ‘stuck in’ to cooking straight away. Help and advice was there as much as we wanted, and while some people worked on their own, my daughter and I enjoyed splitting the jobs between us. So what did we make? Mixed bean pate and some bruschettas, spicy pepper and tomato soup, a stunning risotto with herbs and beans, a veggie tagine and a

quinoa salad – and that was all before lunch!

the full day might be too much, and it is a great way for two people to really enjoy spending time together. It is highly sociable and a wonderful way to learn a new skill at any age. In fact Cormac told me that some time ago a man in this 80s came to a class, a gift from his daughter. He was unsure about it at first, but found he really enjoyed it, and enrolled in subsequent classes, and now holds regular dinner parties for family and friends. This was a man who had never cooked before; had gone from his mother’s cooking to his wife’s cooking and after being left a widower he could hardly boil an egg on his own. What a great new lease of life he got from that initial present! It is lovely to see an older person across the workstation from a teenager, and how they both learn together in an atmosphere of fun and friendship.

Great dishes, we tasted them all and chatted around the table, before resuming for the afternoon and making Pumpkin Muffins, Feta and Leek Fritata, and a great pie with Filo pastry. There were lots of fresh herbs and some spices in the dishes, and we were constantly encouraged to taste and adapt as we liked. I would highly recommend buying a cookery course for yourself, a family member or a friend, it was certainly one of my better gift ideas! You can opt for a half day if you think

There is no digital or linguistic advantage and enthusiasm is contagious. My daughter is going to buy a course for her fiancé for Christmas – maybe a barbeque one, Steak & Sauces or certainly something meaty. I am going to an evening workshop on Matching Food & Wine! There is certainly a course to suit all tastes and there is certainly a cookery school near you. So, let’s get cooking! www.cooksacademy.com 01-6111667

Meadowlands Hotel Transformations- Adding Style to Active Retirement Holidays

Transformations in Time for Autumn Guests! The Meadowlands Hotel has undergone a major transformation throughout and ready in time to welcome Autumn arrivals. With the successful development of the Wild Atlantic Way, the O’Matúna family we saw the importance of investing time and money into renovating key areas, improving services and rebranding the hotel to enhance the hotel’s reputation as a Premier Gaeltacht Hotel in Kerry with a stylish new image. Coming out of recession times, the family-run, four star hotel wanted to create a fresh new look by using brighter colours and lighting with a splash of colour. As a result, the Meadowlands hotel has been fashioned with a contemporary and stylish design while maintaining a traditional and cosy atmosphere. Renovations to the guest rooms, restaurant, bar, lounge and reception areas have been completed and the hotel has been rebranded with new logo, website and design to reflect its new image. Menus have gone local, reflecting Kerry’s best locally produced ingredients and customized to accommodate all dining requirements to include 44 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, guests seeking healthy alternatives and traditional restaurant fare. The fish and seafood is even sourced from the family’s fish company in Dingle and delivered fresh to the hotel on a daily basis. Located just a short stroll from Tralee Bus & Train station, the Meadowlands Hotel is a convenient base with a vast array of adventures and opportunities from the doorstep. Specializing in Active Retirement Groups & Holidays, the Meadowlands Hotel’s experienced team creates individually tailored packages to suit group requirements. Group activities such as dancing, bowls, exercise & yoga classes, bridge, cards & bingo can be organized in the conference centre, gardens and lounge areas of the hotel. Activities combined with adventures, tours and entertainment create an active holiday in style and an experience to remember! The Ó Mathúna Family are looking forward to a new era at Meadowlands Hotel and welcoming new and returning guests to their stylish hotel. For more information on individual and group packages, please contact info@meadowlandshotel.com or 066 718 0444.

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Travel

Killarney Experience It Your Way! Nestled within 26,000 acres of natural parkland and surrounded by three magical lakes, Killarney is every nature lover’s paradise. Take a leisurely stroll through the Park and experience the elegant Muckross House, Traditional Farms, Historical Sites and Heritage Trails. Getting around Killarney has never been easier with Killarney Shuttle Bus at your service; the train station located in the town centre and the shuttle bus operating town centre routes along with all the main destination highlights and some accommodation stops. The Hop on Hop off Bus is also a recent addition to the transport offering in Killarney; taking in all the scenic destination trails and hot spots. Uniquely home to the traditional Jaunting Car, a local jarvey will regale you with stories behind the wondrous 18th century Victorian Manor Estate that is Muckross House, the battles and conquering of the 15th Century Tower House ‘Ross Castle’ and the legends that shaped Killarney’s Culture. The Gap of Dunloe has been inspiring writers, poets and visitors for centuries; an area so elegantly designed by nature, it is an experience, a feeling that you will hold forever.

Top 10 Things to Do in Killarney! • The Gap of Dunloe Experience • Visit living History – Tour the 18th Century Muckross House & 15th Century Ross Castle • Get out on the Lakes! – Water Cruise & Boating • Pamper Yourself as Killarney is home to 6 World Class Spas & Leisure Centres • Play like a Pro at Killarney’s Championship Golf Course • Take a unique trip around the park with a Traditional Jaunting Car • Sample the locally brewed beer & treat yourself to local cuisine • Take in a Show/ Concert/ Theatre Production at the I.N.E.C • A leisurely Shopping Trip awaits the fashion lovers, arts & crafters with plenty more to discover! • Traditional Music & Dance to entertain your Evening Appetite

For more information, please visit www.killarney.ie or contact Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce on 064 6637928 or email info@killarney.ie 46 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Health

Experiments relating to taste and smell in the Sensory Suite

Leading the way in research to support healthy ageing UCD Institute of Food and Health Centre of Excellence looking for volunteers The current trend towards the demand for high quality food and beverages associated with health and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;wellnessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; continues, particularly in the areas of childhood development, weight management, sports nutrition, and specialised products for the elderly. The UCD Institute of Food and Health was established in 2008 to bring together all those researchers working in the area of food and health at UCD into one centre of excellence and to target its research in many of these areas. The Institute hosts over 120 PhD and MSc students and almost 100 research and academic staff, from areas spanning public health medicine, food science, animal science, nutrition, engineering, and consumer science.

To support our research it is often necessary for us to recruit volunteers. In this article we briefly outline some of our current research projects for which we require the assistance of volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, or would like to find out more about our research, please contact Geraldine Quinn at geraldine.quinn@ucd.ie or on 01 7162808. Healthy ageing supported by exercise and nutrition A consequence of ageing is an age-related decrease in muscle size and strength known as sarcopenia. Declining rates of physical activity and inadequate dietary intake among older people further contributes to the increased risk of developing this condition.

48 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

When muscle size and strength decrease below a critical threshold, activities of daily living are compromised and disability occurs with elevated risk for falls and fractures, and poorer general health. For instance, older adults with lower-body weakness are up to 2.5 times more likely to fall, and up to 9 times more likely for a recurrent fall. Moreover, small muscle size contributes to type 2 diabetes and is recognised as a major health concern linked to loss of independence and decreased life expectancy. On average, 5 to 13% of people aged 60 to 70 years are affected by sarcopenia, increasing to 11 to 50% for those over 80 years. However, sarcopenia doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just happen overnight and, in fact, from the age of 30, most adults begin to lose muscle mass at a rate of 3 to 8% per decade. In other words,

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The state-of-the art DEXA scan 1 is used to measure bone density

A volunteer is treated in the interventios suite

the preservation of muscle mass and health is critical to healthy ageing. Physical activity and exercise participation is fundamental to muscle and healthy aging. In exercise studies, different effects are seen depending on whether someone does aerobic training like walking, compared to strength or resistance training such as going to the gym to lift weights. Combined, both aerobic exercise and resistance exercise have benefits in the prevention of disease but the optimal dose and/or combination for older adults is not established. Therefore, one major research theme within the Institute is exploring the optimal prescription of exercise in older adults at risk of physical and cognitive decline. To support this research we are currently seeking volunteers 65 years of age or older, living in South Dublin, for a research study examining the effects of both strength and aerobic exercise training on physical function and mental well-being in older adults. The study will require you to take part in a free 12 week exercise training programme that involves three sessions of exercise training per week. You would also be required to visit UCD on three occasions during the 3 month period for assessments of your physical and mental ability. NUTRIMAL: New research project commences on malnutrition and muscle health in elderly. Chronic malnutrition is common among older people and in Ireland it is estimated that there are approximately 140,000 malnourished citizens, most of whom are aged over 65 years. This can have detrimental effects by accelerating sarcopenia and physical function.

A new research project entitled NUTRIMAL, has recently commenced at UCD with a view to developing new food products to combat malnutrition. This research programme will survey the levels of malnutrition and sarcopenia among older adults in Ireland, and examine their consumer behaviour with a view to developing new food products to target sarcopenia. It will also investigate the effects of dietary interventions targeting malnutrition-related sarcopenia. Individuals with an interest in healthy ageing and the prevention of malnutrition in older adults are welcome to contribute to this research project. The UCD Twin Study We are all fascinated by twins (indeed, in anything that is identical), almost as much as we are obsessed about our diet. We are currently combining these two fascinations in a national study of adult twins, the first of its kind to be carried out in Ireland. The study, called the UCD Twin Study is measuring the metabolism and food intake of identical and non-identical twins. Our metabolism is influenced by a combination of factors such as our genes, diet, and lifestyle. By conducting research we can separate out exactly which aspects are influenced by our environment and which are affected by our genes. Identical twins share nearly 100% of their genes whereas non-identical twins share only about 50% of their genes. For example, if one identical twin is overweight while their twin isn’t, we can assume that this difference between them is caused by their lifestyles and not their genes. We could then use this information to explore what part of their lifestyle is having the biggest

50 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

impact on their body weight. In the UCD Twin Study one of the big questions being asked is what impacts what a person eats and in turn what impacts their metabolism. We are looking for identical and non-identical male twins up to the age of 65 years. If you would like to take part in this exciting study you will be asked to complete a questionnaire about what you eat, and to provide one sample of blood. You will also be asked for a urine sample on a few occasions. In total, this means approximately 3 hours of your time over a 10 week period spread over 6 different occasions. The researchers are very flexible with their schedule and accommodate participants to suit their schedules. Dairy fat and heart health Saturated fat, as found in cheese, has long been associated with negative health outcomes. Yet, recent research suggests that cheese consumption, even in large amounts over prolonged periods, may have a beneficial effect on heart health. This seems at odds with the current dietary advice on saturated fat and cheese intake, and the aim of this study is to help to understand why. In our study we will use cholesterol levels as a way of looking at how the food source of the dairy fat found in cheese impacts on heart health. We call this the ‘matrix effect’. To support our study we are seeking healthy individuals who are, over 50 year of age and who have with a BMI of 25 or more. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, or would like to find out more about our research, please contact Geraldine Quinn at geraldine. quinn@ucd.ie or on 01 7162808.

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Travel

The famous Trulli dwellings

Pat Keenan loved the food, the people and sites in the ‘heel’ of Italy

In praise of Puglia Some of the olive trees date back to Roman times

In 1958 Italy came third in the Eurovision Song Contest with a song called Nel blu, dipinto di blu (In the sky, painted blue). It became a worldwide runaway hit as Volare performed by Dean Martin and a slew of others, Louis Armstrong, Cliff Richard, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, all sang their versions. Just 35k south of Bari Airport, near the top of Italy’s heel in Puglia, is Polignano a Mare, a town perched on craggy cliffs high above a very blue Adriatic Sea. Entering the town a large statue greets with outstretched arms. It commemorates singer-songwriter Domenico Modugno, born and raised here, who wrote and performed that familiar and catchy song. It’s a three and a half hour direct flight from Dublin to Bari, to vast stretches of sandy beaches, nature trails, historic treasures and the renowned laid back lifestyle of southern Italy. We came to discover the simple charm of good down-to-earth local cooking, first-rate olive oils, and discover some unique red wines. Puglia has over 60 million olive trees, many wonderfully gnarled and very old, two and a half, maybe three thousand years old, maybe more. So much so that in their old age they are often propped up by pillars of bricks and mortar. The olive trees of Puglia provide around 40% of Italy’s olive oil and have 4 Denomination of Origin of Production (DOP) areas: Collina di Brindisi; Dauno; Terra D’Otranto and Terra di Bari. I visited Masseria Brancati near Ostuni, one of the oldest farms in the area with a vast olive grove with trees dating back to the Middle

Ages or even the Roman periods. The present owner, Corrado Rodio, with some enthusiasm walked us by rows and rows of trees, introducing many of the older ones by name, as if introducing members of his family. For six generations the Rodio family has produced extra virgin olive oil and now they also have opened the masseria’s doors to guests on a bed and breakfast basis. His guided tour included a visit to an old underground olive mill, abandoned in 1880 but now a museum containing the original stone mills, still in perfect condition, and the numerous tools used in the production of olive oils over the centuries. The tour ends with a tasting of their own extra virgin olive oils, and an opportunity too to take home some tasty bottled memories.

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During my visit I opted to stay at a Masseria, There are of course other options, hotels, apartments, even traditional trulli, but what makes masserias special is that they are old farm houses that once would have been a centre of the local community, probably owned by noble or wealthy family, and are now restored to the level of a boutique hotel. Many are still working farms with large groves providing their own olives, figs, limes, oranges and vegetables. So it is not surprising to expect some special high-end traditional Apulian cuisine. I stayed at Masseria Valente dating from the late 1700s, built over an underground olive oil mill in caves that existed long before the farm

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A fresco at Boro San |Marco

Masseria Il Frantoio, famous for its food and museum

was built. Just off the reception area, old stone steps take you down to you down to the caves where age-old methods for making olive oils are on display. Masseria Valente has 37 acres of natural park, gardens and olive groves, all staunchly committed to organic farming. I dined one evening at Masseria Il Frantoio, another fine farmhouse turned guesthouse, this time dating back five centuries and also a working farm. The food served here was really outstanding. The owner and entertaining host , Armando Ciannamea, talked to us with a poetic turn of phrase in good Italian accented English, insisting that we were not in a restaurant, rather, we were simply guests of his family with food prepared in the farmhouse kitchen by his wife Rosalba and some cooks he underscored that by proclaiming: ‘no chefs!’ They also produce their own DOP extra virgin olive oil, homemade organic jams and liquors using lemons or oranges and added odd ingredients like wild fennel or olive tree leaves … oddly enough, they work. I remember, as a youth growing up in an Ireland, where butter, margarine or dripping

was what the mammy cooked with and olive oil belonged in the chemists, we were not sure what for, perhaps a medication for waxy ears, a pre-Brylcreem hair oil or even to be smeared on to soothe sunburn. All these years later, here in the spiritual home of olive oil, it seems we were half-right. At the Masseria Asciano, yet another farmhouse guesthouse with a fine range of extra virgin olive oils, they also produce an extensive range of olive based creams and cosmetics. It was a once a sanctuary for Byzantine monks fleeing persecution in the twelfth century, a fortress for the Knights of Malta in the fifteenth century and the Amati family farm from the eighteenth century to the present. The Masseria Borgo San Marco welcomes guests. In the grounds, surrounded by old olive trees, all that history unravels. Olive cultivation here goes back five centuries. The buyldings once used to house farm livestock was discovered to be a cave church from the twelfth century, contains Orthodox Christian frescos of saints and medieval Greek writings, hidden for hundreds of years behind whitewash and plaster. Puglia has a long and varied coastline. From Bari, heading south, it begins as a mostly rocky shore becoming in places impressive cliffs but punctuated every now and then with secluded sandy beaches, like the one at the ‘Volare’ towns of Polignano a Mare, another is Monopoli, which I didn’t get to visit but was recommended as well worth a visit. Continuing south toward Ostuni and Brindisi, we get to the long sandy beaches of Marina di Ostuni, the Natural Park of the Coastal Dunes and the Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve, a protected marine

54 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

reserve. It’s a heaven for naturalists combining unspoilt woods, vegetation, shrubs and small trees, so characteristic of coastal regions in the Mediterranean and, mile upon miles of sandy beach to relax and soak up the sun or for long walks. I walked up across the Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve to the Argonese tower built in 1563 to defend against mostly Turkish raiders and pirates There is a thriving industry in cosmetics based on olive oil

Southern Italy has less art treasures than northern Italy but it has some well worth a visit. Near the town of San Vito dei Normanni there are so-called rock art sites, some made by Byzantine monks fleeing persecution in eastern Europe. We visited San Biagio, one such Byzantine sanctuary carved into a massive grass covered mound of rock. They contain fine Orthodox Christian frescoes, one dedicated to Saint Blaise reminded me of my birthday and his feast day and how I nearly ended up with the dashing name of Braise Keenan. The other frescoes are of St. Nicholas, St. Andrew, St. George, St. James and St. John, all inscripted in Greek except St. Nicholas in Latin, perhaps a sign of unity between the Orthodox and Churches.

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Backstreet ‘shop’ in Ostuni

Food Throughout Puglia the pasta of choice is orecchiette, usually homemade by the woman of the family, who else, sitting on a stool outside the front door. You will see them as you wander the streets of towns making this small ear-shaped pasta. It is usually served with cime di rapa, sometimes called Rapini, that’s turnip top leaves to you and me, add olive oil, breadcrumbs and garlic and there you have it, delicious. Bread crumb were a poor mans substitute for a parmesan style hard cheese.

Orecchiette is sometimes served with fresh tomatoes and ricotta cheese, in truth, it can be used with any sauce! Another Puglia treat is pettole, sweet or savoury doughnuts. The savoury version can be plain, or they might add olives, cooked cauliflower, salt cod, sundried tomatoes and anchovies. The sweet versions are drenched in vincotto, a dark sweet condensed grape juice, and cooked until it caramelizes and has reduced to about one fifth of its original volume. You might also try a taralli which, they say, is

More information Pat Keenan travelled with Discovery Puglia, (www.discoverypuglia.com) 19 Hazel Road, Dublin, Ireland. Booking enquiries & information + 353 1 254 42 80 Or E-mail: info@discoverypuglia.com Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) fly direct Dublin to Bari

56 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Italy’s answer to the pretzel, which but isn’t. It’s a snack food - a sort of cracker with the texture of a breadstick. Also local is Capocolli - a smoked sausage made from the loin of a pig. And don’t leave Puglia without sin, try a guilty glut of burrata, a local delicacy with less than delicate ingredients, The outer shell is a solid burrata, a local mozzarella style cheese, inside it is soft burrata cheese with added cream and a mixture of butter and salt (sweet versions have sugar). In Italian, burrata means buttery or buttered.

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Creative Writing Eileen Casey

The Lives and Loves of Pauline Bewick Pauline Bewick celebrated her 80th birthday on 4th September last, a birthday which saw new work being launched at Taylor Galleries, Kildare Street, Dublin. ‘Life, Love and Launch,’ proved to be another major success as Bewick’s themes through the ages have always proved compelling. She is a constant delight, as artist, sensual woman, wife, mother, grandmother. All of these layers are what make her the individual she undoubtedly is. She also appeared recently with Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Show, proving she is as articulate and beautiful as ever. This exhibition is aptly named for an artist who has lived well and packed enough into her 80 years to fill several lifetimes. She has loved also and has always been totally honest in this regard. The sensual side to her nature constantly reveals itself in uninhibited expressive ways in her paintings, indeed it is a wellspring for the magical way she depicts men, woman and the natural world. One of the main themes in the paintings in ‘Life, Love and Launch,’ is the un-knowability of people to each other, even those in close romantic relationships. There is an abundance of bridal images on her canvases, beautiful young, dreamy-eyed, women in white dresses overshadowed by men made up entirely of bees. As an observer free to interpret these images, I read them as Bewick imagining these men as having a sting in their tails and likely to swarm at the prospect of their honey being taken away. Her paintings are very lyrical, a poet’s word made flesh. At one time Bewick had two hives which provided her and her family with delicious honey for many years. Unfortunately, one day when her 60 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

husband Pat was stung by a bee that managed to get through his green veil, it was discovered that he was highly allergic to bee stings and that was the end of the bees. As if presenting a new exhibition of fabulous paintings wasn’t enough, ’80 A Memoir’ (Arlen House) was also published on her birthday. The memoir is extremely well crafted, a frank and thorough account of early life and loves. Among other elements of her life, it tells of her relationship with her mother, Alice (nicknamed ‘Harry’),her sister Hazel and her psychiatrist husband Pat Melia (they were married in 1963). Pat is the love of her life, alas now suffering from Alzheimer’s. She is very close also to their two daughters Poppy and Holly and her grandchildren. Her other most passionate love affair has been with her creative spirit. There’s a relationship between the artist and the canvas that comes directly from possessing such an unfettered spirit, a generosity towards the universe which reveals itself in her willingness to explore themes and images which help her to make sense of the world in general. Bewick, to date, has led a very bohemian life and one which involved lots of travels and many adventures. Bewick says that ‘I don’t look back – the odd time little replays (like a smell that brings to mind the steps of a house in the village of Caiole-in-Chianti or the taste of mango brings me back the South Seas) might flow to mind, odd insignificant moments and memories. In fact, pondering in the past seems a sad thing to do.’ While working on the memoir Bewick closed her eyes ‘and felt the past become the present’ as she told her story.

Pauline, Sebastian and Pat in Jammets, 1957

Nicely structured in linear fashion, the memoir opens with Bewick coming to Ireland (Gleninchaquin in County Kerry) as a young child from Newcastle with her mother and sister, after ‘Harry’ fled from her husband, Corbett Bewick, because of his alcohol addiction. Kerry has always been home and after a lifetime of relocations and travel (Northern Ireland, London, Dublin, The South Seas, Tuscany), this much admired and respected artist is living the life she loves, back in Kerry. When Publisher Alan Hayes suggested that the memoir be written, he stressed that he wanted it to be in her own voice. And that’s exactly how it reads. It’s like sitting down with a very interesting and intriguing friend who has lots of stories which are like tableaux vivant. One of my own favourite narratives concerns The Yellow Man. Bewick conceived of this creation while in Tuscany in 1979. She was sitting under a grapevine when she doodled him into being in a sketchbook. She sketched him with two antennae and he was walking over the Tuscan hills. Two little boys next door, Stephano and Roberto saw him and asked her to draw more. She later realized that the little yellow man was their neighbour Gino, a farmer. She says ‘he has little brown eyes that dart from one of us to the other. He giggles, yet seems to accept the inevitability of life in a silent unconscious way, making Gino a magical man.’ Where does Bewick’s enormous appetite for painting come from? Apart from possessing a natural flair, her development as an artist was always deeply encouraged by her mother who had the foresight to keep Bewick’s paintings and drawings from the age of two upwards. Bewick is dyslexic but thanks to her first teacher at a school in Douris, County Kerry, instead of being pilloried for it (as many children at that time were), Miss Murphy invited the young artist to draw the object on the blackboard instead of attempting to spell it. When Bewick drew her first bird she says that apart from her mother, ‘this was my first taste of positive attention for producing a picture.’ Travel and different styles of ‘homemaking’ were very much part of

the young Bewick’s domestic experiences. In 1944, having lived in County Kerry for six years, the family moved to Northern Ireland, setting down roots in County Derry. Hazel (who subsequently died young, tragically) moved back to England to train as a hospital dietician. However, Harry and Pauline lived in a caravan at Salford ( it was flooded by the river Avon) before settling on a boat called ‘Jaunty,’ (also occupied by their cat, ‘Salty’ – cats feature prominently in Bewick’s work). In 1949, it was back to Ireland again. A year later, they moved to Dublin where Bewick attended NCAD, her teacher being Sean Keating. Harry bought a large house on Frankfurt Avenue, taking in students to help defray expenses. In her inimitable way, she encouraged these students to draw on the walls so that floor to ceiling was covered in their artistic endeavours. I can’t help but envy subsequent owners of that house and wonder if they kept these impromptu murals or painted them over? Harry was also enterprising, a really fascinating woman in her own right. She went on to buy stocks and shares in commodities (Portuguese telephones, cardboard and black molasses) which gained in value and which made her wealthy, even though she appears to have had no big grá for material possessions. Harry eventually moved to Wicklow (Laragh) where she lived out her days. The ‘fruit man’ dropped off boxes of rotten bananas and out of date vegetables for Harry. She would find lots to eat from this free supply. Black bananas were her favourite. Bewick’s first exhibition in Dublin was in 1957 at the Clog Gallery and Café. She exhibited all the drawings and paintings of her life. She received a call from Mr Kiko of the Kiko Gallery in Japan asking if they could exhibit her work. Indeed, some of her paintings display a distinct oriental edge as in Plums, China depicting a beautiful oriental girl and luscious fruit. She was commissioned to design the cover for the Trinity College magazine Icarus. However, Bewick also had a number of jobs. She worked for Dr Keys in Wicklow Street, painting artificial eyes. Dr Keys, an optician, had a new experiment. Bewick would hold a cardboard disc, the size of the patient’s iris, on the handle of the paintbrush

Party in Heytesbury Lane 1989 recorded by Pauline Berwick. Luke Kelly is depicted as the devil.

and copy the patient’s good iris in great detail, all the lines and squiggles and the exact colour of the patient’s eye. She also worked in The Clover Nightclub on 0’Connell Street where she sang Marlene Dietrich and Bessie Smith songs, ‘my lips close to the microphone.’ Over a long, successful career Bewick has worked for the BBC, RTE and has had numerous documentaries and books written about her. She has written and illustrated many books and is an elected member of the Royal Hibernian Academy and Aosdána. When Bewick came back to Dublin in the 1970s (having lived in London for a time), her first encounter with Luke Kelly of The Dubliners was at the Light House Cinema. Luke was brought up not far from the Dublin Docks. He even showed her where he and other lads jumped into the dark waters of the River Liffey. Her description of this incident is very lyrical: ‘I could picture his white youthful body and his red hair bobby about, swimming in the dark river.’ When eventually they became lovers at Luke’s place in Dartmouth Square, the description of him is equally poetic: ‘A little light shone from the landing, then Luke appeared completely naked, his alabaster white body and red hair looking surreal. He came down the stairs, clutching a silvery grey glistening pigeon tight against his white chest. It had flown in through the attic window and Luke brought it down to show me.’ She finally persuaded him to go up to the skylight and release it. Having lived a life where she followed her heart and her artistic dreams, Bewick now spends her days sharing life with her beloved Pat. They go on walks together, gathering mushrooms, looking at nature and birds. One of their favourite walks is along Lickeen river. In the memoir, she recounts an incident when their golden retriever Ben, jumped into the river, grabbed a stick and then started to drift downstream with it. ‘I think he’s going under. I think he is drowning,’ Pat said. Without any thought for the cold, Bewick took off her padded winter coat and the nightie she 62 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

‘Yellow man’ at window looking out at figs 1980s

wore underneath it. Then she jumped in to save Ben who was rushing towards a waterfall. Their grandson Aran was with them at the time and he was too young to jump in and Pat ‘was too old.’ When the dog was safely on the river bank Bewick says she couldn’t remember anything about it. She was told later that women over fifty get a condition called sea amnesia when a sudden rush of cold water hits the back of the neck. Having survived a stroke (though she still suffers weakness and dizzy spells) Bewick feels ‘like a young woman pulled back by an old woman.’ She is glad that the work for the exhibition and the memoir is completed because she can start something new. She is healthy and thinks she can live for another 80 years. Such a philosophy is surely the true secret of a contented life.

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Opinion by Jim Collier ‘Special penalties required for attacks on elderly people’ Eva Sutton (89) was left seriously injured following an attack in her home where she lives alone on 10th of September 2015. The picture of her recovering in hospital is horrific. She was left with a broken nose, a punctured lung, broken ribs and severe bruising to her back. She is lucky to have survived. She was also robbed of her jewellery. The cowardly thugs who attacked her while she slept, tied her up and assaulted her for up to 30 minutes. These vicious thugs, one in his 30’s and one in his 20’s are apparently known to the Gardai for previous burglary and assault incidences. They were obviously at large and are still at large due to the leniency of the judicial system.

more frequent. I believe it is time there were special penalties applied where victims are vulnerable older people. The fact that there has been a reduction of Gardaí on patrol in our communities seems to have heightened the risk of such incidences.

Eva has suffered nightmares since the attack. She wakes up screaming in hospital fearing that her home is again being broken into. This brave lady had been living in her home for 45 years. Such are the extent of her injuries she may not be able to live at home again, unless she has fulltime care and facilities. Her life expectancy will no doubt be shortened as a result of this horrific attack. I sincerely hope that this will be taken into account when the culprits are brought to task for what they did. Assaults and burglaries against older people living alone are becoming

For those living alone or vulnerable, funding is available to assist in providing monitored alarms and pendant alarms, security lighting etc. through the CSOP Unit in the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. For further information telephone 0719 1867 00.

Older people living alone have suffered most due to the austerity measures and now they have to suffer from such vicious attacks also. Families of those living alone should familiarise themselves with groups such as Age Action, Active Retirement Associations, Crosscare etc. They provide assistance in many ways.

The upcoming Over 50’s Show at the RDS from the 9th-11th October, 11am-5:30pm will have lots of information for families who are concerned for the care and security of their older relatives.

New ‘talking money’ guide from Irish Life Personal finance experts Jill Kerby and Karl Deeter recently launched their Talking Money guide, a unique personal finance guide for Irish consumers. Sponsored by Irish Life, the guide is based on content from Jill and Karl’s weekly ‘Talking Money’ slot on RTE Radio 1’s Drivetime programme. It features useful information, facts, advice and discussion on a variety of everyday, but important money topics that need to be addressed at various life stages– all presented in a way that makes financial planning more straight-forward and actionable for everyone. Talking Money focuses on a range of big-ticket money issues that affect everyone in their daily lives, from pensions to property, and investments to weddings. The information and advice is presented in six easy to read chapters; Talking Savings, Talking Protection, Talking Lifestyle, Talking Investments, Talking Property, and Talking Pensions. Throughout the guide there are helpful checklists, examples and quotes highlighting the benefits of good financial planning. Jill Kerby outlined her hopes for the Guide: ‘We really hope Talking Money will provide practical help for Irish consumers who are unsure about how to tackle some of the big personal finance issues. One message we hope we’ve been able to get across is that while gaining control of your finances and steadily building wealth over your lifetime is worth pursuing, we think there’s a far more important and timeless goal to aim for, which is complete financial peace of mind.’ Also speaking at the launch of Talking Money Bill Kyle, Chief Executive, Irish Life said: ‘Irish Life is delighted to sponsor the publication of such a comprehensive personal finance guide. I think it is really impressive to 66 Senior Times l November - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

Jilly Kerby, Bill Kyle Irish Life CEO and Karl Deeter at the launch

have a wealth of advice in a single source. Jill and Karl have a great way of breaking down the barriers of some complex financial topics and giving clear, insightful and impartial guidance to help people learn about the essential building blocks of financial security.’ The Talking Money Guide is available free of charge to download from www.irishlife.ie

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Health

Over 40% of people in Ireland suffer from a food intolerance

The corner of the garden with the gazebo which proved somewhat troublesome to assemble.

Survey data from YorkTest Laboratories has found that over 40% of Irish respondents suffer, or think they suffer, from a food intolerance. With almost a fifth (17%) claiming to suffer from a food intolerance and more than a quarter (26%) thinking they may do, the research looked at how well educated we are when it comes to food intolerances and where there are still areas of uncertainty. The survey of 502 Irish people revealed that while 69% claimed that they knew the difference between a food intolerance and an allergy, only 51% got it correct. It also revealed that despite being an area that is surrounded by misconceptions over 90% of respondents believed that food intolerance is a fact of life and not just a fad which shows the increased awareness of food intolerance that exists in Ireland today. YorkTest is keen to help clear up the confusion many people have about the differences between food allergies and intolerances. While they are often thought to be variations of the same thing this clearly isn’t the case when their biological mechanisms, the severity of the response and how they affect you, are taken into account. There are also a wide range of

types of tests for food allergy, sensitivity and intolerance available and this can be confusing too. Making sense of the different types of reactions and the test types available can really ensure that those with symptoms can get the most effective solution for them.

people whose life has been transformed with thanks to YorkTest. Cathy has been suffering from prolonged digestive problems and unfortunately medical tests undertaken were unable to get to the root of the problem so Cathy then decided to try the YorkTest programme.

YorkTest Laboratories Food&DrinkScan Programme aims to help those who think they might be reacting to foods and have not been able to find a solution from a GP. The nutritionally supported test offers an aid to the management of dietary intake and test results are delivered as part of a programme which includes a guidebook, food diary and nutritional advice from a registered Nutritional Therapist to ensure that any food eliminated from the diet is replaced with a suitable alternative and no major food groups are excluded.

Commenting on her story, Cathy said, “Following my YorkTest results which found that I was reacting to certain foods, and the detailed consultation I had with the YorkTest Nutritional Therapist I was able to better understand the changes I needed to make to my diet and ensure that I replaced my trigger foods with nutritious alternatives. I found that with new increased energy levels I was able to go to the gym more and my weight dropped considerable, lifting my mood and changing my whole attitude to food and life. I am delighted to see my body changing and my new shape and my confidence levels have soared.”

‘The purpose of the YorkTest food intolerance programmes is not to diagnose allergy or intolerance but to help provide the starting point for an elimination diet for those who do not feel well and need help optimising their health and wellbeing. We know from an independently audited study that 76% of those who followed a YorkTest elimination diet felt they had benefited from the service’. Cathy Maguire, is just one of the many Irish

68 Senior Timesl November l July-August 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie Senior Times - December 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie

The comprehensive Food&DrinkScan Programme from YorkTest analyses your IgG reaction to 158 foods and drinks, providing you with clear results and nutritional support to help you replace your problem foods and optimise your diet. The convenient home to laboratory test is priced at €350 and can be purchased online at www.yorktest.ie or by calling YorkTest on (01) 202 2701.

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Ageing Research

Engaging ageing Dublin City University at the forefront of current research

Thanks to advances in medicine and technology, life expectancy rates are soaring with predictions of the older population doubling over the next 20 years. Yet, current national programmes which try to address the issues and needs of an ageing population tend to focus narrowly on health-care and medical services. Since its earliest days, DCU has been committed to widening access to higher education, and this includes enhancing the lives of older members of our community through innovative educational programmes, research, online education, health and wellness activities, arts and culture programmes and civic engagement opportunities. DCU’s Age-Friendly University (AFU) initiative specifically aims to adopt a more holistic approach by developing new programmes and research over the coming years to create an environment which respects and caters for the needs of all ages in society. The rationale for DCU’s Age Friendly initiative is informed by the fact that older people are now living longer and tend to be healthier than previous generations. It is recognised that people need to have access to meaningful forms of engagement in society at a time when they may be retiring from employment and/or be less engaged with family. Despite being a ‘young’ university, it is not unusual to see older people on campus in DCU. The Intergenerational Learning Project offers a selection of dedicated modules designed with the older learner in mind. This wide range of short, competitively priced courses delivered by DCU lecturers, provides

opportunities to study subjects ranging from psychology to everyday science to genealogy. Drawing on the help of student mentors, the Project has brought more than 600 older adults on campus and engaged 300 DCU students in teaching and volunteering. In February 2016, DCU will be offering a wide range of credit bearing modules which can be taken on a standalone basis or as a contribution towards a primary degree. This flexible learning option encourages more mature students to consider a university course. MedEx (Medical Exercise), another unique aspect of the Age Friendly Initiative, is a chronic illness rehabilitation service which has grown dramatically over the past six years to become one of the largest centres of its kind in Europe. It delivers exercise-based rehabilitation programmes for people with diverse chronic illnesses, hosting over 600 visits per week and transforming the lives of participants and their families. Meanwhile, over at DCU’s School of Nursing, the Memory Works screening clinic is available to anyone over 40 who feels they are developing memory problems. The clinic, which aims to fill a gap in the existing health service, operates on a self-referral or GP referral basis aimed at identifying people with a pathological reason for their memory problems. In addition the Elevator Project conducts research and support for those with dementia and those caring for people with dementia. This project has produced a series of training modules for staff working in the financial service, leisure and retail industries on how to deal with customers and service users with dementia.

70 Senior SeniorTimes Timesl November l July - August 2015 l2015 www.seniortimes.ie 70 - December l www.seniortimes.ie

On November 2nd and 3rd next, DCU will host the inaugural international Age Friendly Universities Conference Engaging Ageing – universities as engines to promote and support active and healthy ageing. Dr Jane Barratt, the Secretary General of the International Federation on Ageing will give the keynote address and, with more than 60 presentations over the two days, it will generate discussion and debate on how to plan for an older population in Ireland, and how universities can engage in the process. The conference is open to the public with a special attendance rate of €20.00 (oap/student) for the two days. A dedicated Age-Friendly Coordinator, Christine O’Kelly, supports a multidisciplinery team on campus and works with local communities and an external advisory panel comprising older people’s organisations to advise and inform a work programme which drives the university’s goal to promote a greater, more connected and productive quality of life for older adults. For more information on DCU’s Age Friendly Initiative or any of the programmes above, please contact:

Christine O’Kelly DCU Age Friendly Coordinator Tel 01 700 8933 Christine.okelly@dcu.ie Website: www4.dcu.ie/agefriendly/register.shtml

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