News
It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our former President and friend Sylvia Meehan
Sylvia, who died after a long illness, was a truly remarkable woman, who, despite being widowed at 40, following the death of her husband Denis, reared her family, worked as a teacher and was an activist and campaigner for the rights of women and older people.
She was in the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland; founder member of the Council for the Status of Women and Chair of the Women’s Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
In 1977 she was appointed Chief Executive of the Employment Equality Agency, which was established to oversee the enforcement of the Employment Equality Act.
In 1992 she retired from the Employment Equality Agency but in keeping with her ethos and passion for equality and fairness, she became involved in the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament and was a founder member of the Parliament. The Parliament is an umbrella group which works through and with its affiliated organisations and members to achieve equality and a voice for older people in all areas of their lives.
Sylvia was committed to ensure that the VOICE OF OLDER PEOPLE was heard in all areas which affected their lives. She was determined that the mantra “Nothing about us without us” would apply to all older people.
She served two terms as Chairperson of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament and was a driving force in the organisation of the Protest in 2008 against the withdrawal of the Medical Cards for those aged over 70. She stepped down from active service in 2010 but was always available at the end of the phone for advice and inspiring conversation.
She served on the boards of Age & Opportunity, Aontas, AGE – The European Older People’s Platform and the National Economic & Social Forum.
In 1997 the University of Limerick awarded her an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of her commitment to public life in the cause Equality and Fairness.
In 2009 she was presented with a Quinn-Healthcare / Rehab / RTE People of the Year Award for giving a voice to those who might otherwise be forgotten and for her skill and tenacity in asserting the rights of Older People.
In 2010 Dublin City Lord Mayor Emer Costello presented her with an award in recognition of her work as an advocate for Older People.
Mairead Hayes, CEO of the ISCP on behalf of the President, Executive Committee, Staff and Membership of the ISCP express the great sorrow of the “ISCP Family” at the death of Sylvia. On behalf of Older People we send our condolences to her family, relations and friends.
Mairead Hayes
086 349 8848
TASTE OF DCU
YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW
A TASTE OF DCU 2018
Monday, September 10th
9.00 AM –4.30 PM
School of Nursing and Human Sciences
(Collins Ave Entrance)
The day will provide an opportunity to showcase the range of opportunities on campus for mature and older learners
Refreshments /Lunch and a free Raffle will be included
This Event is FREE
Please Register on line
Or call
01 700 6490/8933
to leave a message with your name and number
or email
Senior Alert Scheme
The Senior Alert Scheme (SAS), supported by Pobal, offers a personal monitored alarm system (pendant alarm) to people over the age of 65 for a year. The equipment is free with monitoring also free for the first year. Its availability was recently extended to those not living alone, having previously only been available to single occupant households.
World COPD Week
COPD Support Ireland call on the country to join the conversation and #LetstalkCOPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) World Awareness Week (13th to 17th November)
Nationwide events planned for World COPD Day on the 15th of November
COPD Support Ireland, a national charity for all those living with the disease, is delighted to announce a week of events to help raise awareness and encourage people to start a conversation about the illness.
#LetstalkCOPD is about getting the nation talking and telling their stories about their experiences with COPD. Some will have the respiratory condition, some will care for family and friends who suffer from COPD, while others join in the narrative for the first time this November.
We want people to hear about a condition that affects around 380,000 people in Ireland, with an estimated 120,000 more undiagnosed.
The COPD facts are
- It is the fourth most common cause of death in Ireland after lung cancer, heart disease and stroke;
- Those most at risk are current or former smokers over the age of 40;
- Symptoms include a chronic cough, breathlessness, pressure on the chest and a wheeze.
By joining the conversation, people can learn
- That the condition can be managed better with an early diagnosis;
- That exercise really helps with living with the condition even if it’s just one short walk each day;
- That talking about the condition will help people realise there is strong community of support nationwide;
- And that COPD Support Ireland is there to help those with the condition across all social media platforms and through our dedicated advice line.
And significantly
- 10% of people with COPD have NEVER smoked;
- 30% of people with the condition have successfully quit smoking;
- Ireland has the highest rate of COPD admissions to hospitals in the EU and 60% more admissions than the UK;
- Pulmonary rehabilitation is one of the most effective treatment methods yet the health system only has a capacity to cater for 10% of COPD patients.