Influences On The Older Person In Relation To Retirement
This report is about healthy ageing and how the population is ageing more healthily than previously. How a person ages depends on a number of factors including the environment, financial status, housing, lifestyle and occupation. By 2031 it is estimated there will be almost one million people over the age of 65 living in Ireland which is an increase since 2016 or more than 86% and 136,000 will be over the age of 85 (see Hennessy S - There'll be a million over-65s in Ireland by 2031). People should start to prepare early on in life for their retirement by contributing towards their pension and as they approach retirement age by attending a pre-retirement course.
The role of the carer/organisations
There are many groups and organisations and indeed individuals that help to contribute to positive ageing and retirement and these include family members, health centres to include general practitioners, dentists, physiotherapists and nurses, hospitals, the Health Service Executive, nursing homes, V.H.I., voluntary organisations to include Age Action Ireland and University of the Third Age. The HSE provides all of the public health services in Ireland in communities and hospitals. Age Action Ireland promotes better services and policies for older people in Ireland and helps improve their lives. University of the Third Age is not a university but involves groups of older people who are interested in a programme of different activities such as gardening, computers and local history.
Age Action Ireland believes that enforced retirement has financial implications and also an impact on a person’s mental health and is seeking a change in the age a person is forced to retire from work. Organisations such as the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute provide education and information on eating well for a healthy brain and body. Alone is an organisation which provides a Befriending Service and they visit isolated older people each week as loneliness can have a serious impact on a person’s health.
Active Retirement Ireland encourages older people to join local organisations, do voluntary work, take up a new skill and pursue hobbies as these can all help to increase a person’s chances of ageing more healthily. This organisation has over 400 branches in Ireland. Age Action Care and Repair Programme provides a befriending services and carries out “odd jobs” for older people and has branches in Dublin, Cork and also Galway. Homecare agencies provide health and social care services to older people in their homes and the career can help a person to be as independent as possible whilst remaining in their own home.
A person’s ethnic and cultural background can determine their approach to retirement. There are more people from other countries now living in Ireland and their attitudes may differ to those that traditionally existed in Ireland. In China for example older people are held in high esteem and they are viewed as being wise whereas in Ireland older people are still not held in the same regard. Ireland is now a multi-cultural society and as a result differences need to be considered in an active ageing plan. Different cultures and views could therefore influence retirement in the future.
People from abroad who come to work here may not have the supports they would have had at home, i.e. family to look after children whilst they are at work in a hospital or nursing home. Also a person from another country now working in Ireland may not have built up enough PRSI contributions to entitle them to a state pension in the future. Information technology is now very much part of the Irish culture with the vast majority of people owning a mobile phone. Older people may not be as adept whilst using modern technology but there are classes available that they can attend to learn these skills. Local libraries often run free courses during the day for older person to become more adept when using computers.
Health promotion and therapeutic interventions
As a person gets older it is important to remain active and take in regular exercise. The HSE provide information for older people on the various services that are available, e.g. “Go for Life” is a national programme for physical activity and sport. The HSE runs a breast check screening service for women and its mobile service travels around the country and notifies women in the age category when it is in their area. Also bowel screening is now available for the over 60’s and the HSE runs a programme in this area by contacting people by letter and sending out a screening kit in the post. As glaucoma can affect older people’s eyesight, it is important to have regular eye tests and companies such as Specsavers often have advertisements on television or distribute leaflets on the importance of eye testing.
Yoga or Tai Chi are suitable for older people and courses are available in local fitness centres. Local night classes also run these courses and advertise in the local papers and on-line when they are about to commence a course. Walking clubs often look for new members and arrange walks usually in the mornings which particularly suit older people. This is also a social event and the interaction with other people can help the older person emotionally also. Active retirement clubs run various activities such as bowling and trips and holidays around the country and these can help a person to remain active both mentally and physically.
Family members included in care
Most older people live independently but if they require assistance initially it is a family member who often provides the care. The family can provide practical assistance such as accompanying the person to an appointment with their doctor or dentist or driving them there. Also the family member can be involved with consent in the initial discussion with the GP and public health nurse regarding the needs of the older person as home care services may be required in the near future. Also meals on wheels services could assist the family member who may be at work during the day by providing nourishing meals.
When compiling a care plan it is important that the older person’s family is included as they know the person best. The multi-disciplinary team comprising of the GP, public health nurse, physiotherapist and occupational therapist should consult with and involve the older person’s family regarding the care plan thereby ensuring continuity of care. The family can also act as an advocate for the older person when it comes to obtaining services and this may be with the HSE in relation to obtaining extra hours for home help or a medical card or physiotherapy services in the local clinic.
Conclusion:-The former US president Richard Nixon is reported to have said that he used to hate the idea of being eighty, until he thought of the alternative! Having carried out research for this project the writer better understands the above statement as today in Ireland a person has a much improved chance of ageing healthily given the advances in healthcare and services now available.
There are many organisations such as Alone, Age Action Ireland and Active Retirement Ireland which provide advice, support and encouragement to older people and help them to remain healthy for as long as possible. The older person’s family play an important part also by providing support whether it involves being at the end of the telephone line or dropping in for a visit. Everyone needs to plan for their retirement and this includes financially as well as planning what they will do after they retire. With proper planning a person can continue to lead an active and fulfilling life in later years.
