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FitLine: Supports for getting and staying active
FitLine: Supports for getting and staying active
In our recent Ageism survey, we learned that some of our members did not feel they were encouraged to keep active. The Irish Senior Citizens’ Parliament, the voice of older people, is delighted to support Age and Opportunity’s FitLine intiative.
FitLine is a volunteer telephone line designed to help older people who want to feel healthier, but perhaps don’t have the motivation, confidence or information on where or how to take that first step. The service is completely free and is funded by Sport Ireland and Healthy Ireland’s Keep Well Campaign.
We encourage our members to free phone 1800 303 545 or email fitline@ageandopportunity.ie. You can also visit https://ageandopportunity.ie/active/fitline/.
After you’ve made the first call, a FitLine mentor will arrange a time to ring you every two weeks until you’re happy with your progress.
FitLine mentors are volunteer older people who understand the challenges of getting active. They’ll give you information, advice and gentle encouragement to get moving.
Recommendations from FitLine participants:
“Having that social connection FitLine provides, has been invaluable during this time, and the motivation and support are wonderful,” Bridie, Dublin.
“I have been with FitLine for a few years and it gives me a great lift to get a phone call every couple of weeks. They have good advice. I live on my own and I love having someone from FitLine ring me regularly,” Joe, Dublin.
“FitLine gave me the push I needed to stop making excuses to get up and get active,” Anne, Cork.
Pension Rights Bill
We are disappointed that the Government has chosen to defer a decision on the Industrial Amendments Bill for 12 months. This Bill, brought forward by Bríd Smith TD, sought to give retired people the right to be represented by their organisation or union in dealing with their former employers over changes to their pension entitlements and benefits.
This is an issue that has been affecting retired workers for well over a decade, with ISCP campaigning throughout that time, and it is frustrating that this Bill will not yet go to Committee stage for further work. On June 29th, members of ISCP’s executive gathered with other organisations representing pensioner’s rights to rally for the Government to adopt the Industrial Relations Amendments Bill - you can watch back our video above.
Next Steps
An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has committed, in an answer to a parliamentary question, to holding consultation with stakeholders over the course of the coming year. ISCP, along with other sectoral groups, is seeking to engage with the Government in this process and ensure that the voice of older people is to the fore in all policy formation, and we will be acting as a convenor for this collaboration.
If you would like more information on this issue, contact our Head of Policy and Communications Una Power at policyandcommunications@seniors.ie.
We will be keep a close eye on the Government over the next 12 months to hold them to their promise of reviewing this Bill and addressing it within the promised timeline. Over 500,000 retired workers are affected by this issue, and they are not going away.
Watch back our Webinar on this issue:
Watch back: Summer Series Webinar on the Role of Language in Ageism
Recently we held our second Summer Series webinar on the Role of Language in Ageism. We were delighted to be joined by our own CEO Sue Shaw, CEO of Age Action Paddy Connolly, and CEO of Treoir Damien Peelo
During this webinar our experts spoke about how language can impact on people as they age in society and what can be done to address this issue.
If you missed out on the webinar, do watch back our video above!
ISCP members worried about rising cost of insurance
The Irish Senior Citizens’ Parliament, the voice of the older person, is very concerned to hear from our members about their worries over insurance.
Our members have reported increases in the cost of insurance as well as being denied cover based on age.
The Irish Senior Citizens’ Parliament contacted a number of insurance providers and asked for their policies in terms of providing insurance to over 65s. Out of the five large providers we contacted only two responded to our request and stated that they had no specific policies:
Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC does not have specific policies in relation to insuring different age cohorts. We treat all customers equally and fairly. The cost of motor, home and other insurance is based on a broad range of factors specific to the customer – Aviva
I wish to confirm that we do not have any specific plans for those in a particular age cohort. All Vhi Healthcare plans are available to all members and to assess the suitability of a plan for an individual member we complete a fact find in order to establish their specific needs, at which point we can then recommend a plan – Vhi
However, our members have been experiencing age relation issues, not just on cost but also on access to coverage. One of our members, Imelda from Kildare, reported that she was informed that the insurer’s underwriter would not permit offering travel insurance to any individual over 65.
In recent surveys with our members on the topics of ageism and the upcoming budget, our members informed us that they were hugely concerned about the increasing rates of insurance premiums and that insurance was an everyday worry for them. The pension has remained at €248 for 3 years making it harder for older people to pay for necessities such as home, motor and health insurance.
Tom from Wexford told us that he is paying over €5000 per year for health insurance for both him and his wife. With no pension increase, he is finding this extremely expensive.
ISCP have been advocating for an increase in the state pension in this year’s budget as well as a Report on the Cost of Ageing.
As the voice of older people, we want to hear directly from you. Please contact Head of Development Elaine Moore (development@seniors.ie) to let us know about your experiences with insurance.