Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Dublin Live
Dublin Live
National
Roisin Cullen

Covid-19 Ireland: Serious concern for elderly as country reopens

Alone have called on the Government to introduce a re-emergence plan for the elderly and other at risk groups.

Their call comes after the vast majority of Covid-19 restrictions were lifted over the weekend.

The charity reminded the public that while many may be celebrating the return to normality, some people still have serious concerns about the virus and may feel overwhelmed by the sudden reopening.

They stressed that people's boundaries should be respected as many may not be ready to fully return to normal yet due to health worries.

They said: "As Ireland starts to experience life without lockdown, Alone is asking everyone to continue to show care while respecting older and medically vulnerable people’s boundaries.

"There are a lot of people across the country today and in the near future that are unable to throw caution to wind as Covid-19 is still present and infecting people.

The organisation has continually emphasised the need for a plan for older adults to be established as Ireland navigates through reopening with Covid-19, and is calling on Government to start developing a re-emergence programme for older people and socially and medically vulnerable groups immediately.

The charity raised concerns over the lack of physical activity among older people over recent months.

A spokeswoman said: "The declining levels of physical activity amongst older people during the pandemic is of particular concern to Alone.

"The organisation is also highlighting that although the Government has relaxed the majority of restrictions a lot of services and supports for older people are not fully operational and will take time to scale up to the levels needed."

The charity have received a large number of calls to its National Support and Referral Line with many callers expressing worry about virus.

Lots of older people have had their confidence knocked after staying in social isolation for nearly two years now.

Alone's CEO, Seán Moynihan said that the pandemic has had a serious impact on the group's mental and physical health.

He said: "Now is the time to consider how we can best ensure older people’s safety as they begin to return to society.

"The pandemic will have detrimental physical and mental health effects on our older people as they have had to drastically change the way they live in order to shield themselves from the virus.

"We must be prepared to listen to their worries and doubts, assess the actions that need to be taken and devise strategies on the best ways to protect these groups.

"It is up to all of us to support and empower older people to take a full part in our society post- pandemic. We must ensure to ask older people what they are comfortable with before we welcome ourselves into their homes or lives.”

To get the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up for our free newsletter

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.