Home Instead has launched its annual Essential Guide to Ageing Well. The guidebook has been developed through Home Instead’s years of experience in the home care industry in Ireland and around the world.
The Essential Guide to Ageing Well 2023 is a comprehensive resource for ageing in Ireland and covers a range of important topics to help people prepare and plan for the future now whether as older people, carers, or family members.
Featuring contributions from Mary Butler TD, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People; Professor Ian Robertson, founding director of the Global Brain Health Institute and author of How Confidence Works; and supported by Total Health Pharmacy and Haven Pharmacy, the guidebook is available free of charge to anyone interested in ageing well.
Home Instead publishes this guidebook annually to support older people and their families navigate the ageing journey so that we as a society can keep our ageing loved ones safe and well while living independently in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. It is a practical and engaging resource for everyone in the ageing care space with lots of information provided on the services and resources that are available in the country; all of which support Home Instead’s mission ‘to enhance the lives of ageing adults and their families’.
The guidebook includes expert tips and advice on areas such as:
• Health and wellbeing advice, including medication, vaccination, fall prevention, innovative trials available to support chronic health conditions, and the importance of social connection and caring for the caregiver.
• Community services, free and cost-effective services including how to apply for the HSE’s Consumer Directed Home Support, health services, security, fuel, transport and training.
• Lifestyle advice, including tips on how to look after yourself, technology, travel, socialising and volunteering.
• Nutrition and diet, including healthy eating advice and savvy shopping tips.
• Allowances and entitlements, including what allowances are available and how to apply for them.
• Care options, the importance of relationship-based care, including identifying and choosing the most appropriate care.
• Financial and legal information, including planning in advance to safeguard yourself in the future.
The guidebook is being distributed in cities, towns and villages all over Ireland, through Home Instead’s national network of local offices, as well as at Total Health and Haven Pharmacies nationwide. The information is also available online at HomeInstead.ie/Guidebook2023
Launching the Essential Guide to Ageing Well, Shane Jennings, CEO, Home Instead Ireland, said: “Our guidebook is undoubtedly the most comprehensive ageing resource in Ireland.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to live independently and this year’s Essential Guide to Ageing Well provides information on the opportunities, services and resources available in our communities, which unfortunately many people may not be aware of.
“By sharing the experience and expertise that we have accumulated through 18 years of caring for Ireland’s older adults, we want to make it easier for older people, their family members and healthcare professionals to have the information they need so more people can plan and prepare to age well in Ireland, now.
“We at Home Instead are hopeful that this year’s Guidebook will have a positive impact on ageing in Ireland, the home care sector and the Irish health care sector as a whole. By providing more older people and their families with expert information we hope to empower more of our ageing loved ones to live a happy, healthy and independent life at home, for as long as possible.’’
