Older Offaly residents 'ask the experts' about health issues at community event
The last in a series of 'Ask the Experts' panel discussions was held at Charleville Community Centre in Tullamore on November 17, and focused on helping older people manage their health.
Organised by the Laois and Offaly Regional Literacy Coalition, and led by LOETB and the HSE, the event saw a panel of health experts come together to support older adults in understanding their own health.
Attendance on the day was strong, with great engagement, insight, and plenty of questions from the floor.
The central theme focused on 'health literacy and staying well' – helping people feel more confident when navigating health information and services.
Molly Buckley, chairperson of the Older Persons Council in Offaly, warmly opened the event, sharing her passion and insight on the importance of staying well.
The panel featured professionals from public health medicine, nursing, social work, health literacy, education, crime prevention and future planning. Each speaker shared practical advice and key information they believe patients should know when speaking with healthcare professionals.
Sharon O’Brien explained the importance of planning and thinking ahead around our wishes with the 'Think Ahead' document from the Irish Hospice Foundation.
Domhnall McGlacken gave advice on communicating with healthcare providers and managing personal health, while Alice Farrelly stressed the importance of ageing well, avoiding hospital admissions, and practical tips for keeping well at home and staying connected with older persons' services.
Therése Glennon explained the role of education in staying well, and highlighted the topic of lifelong learning and not to let age be a barrier. She offered advice on supports provided in communities by LOETB but also wider services available.
Meanwhile, Pearse Murphy spoke about the role of social work in primary care, including support for carers.
Graham Kavanagh shared advice on staying safe at home and online from An Garda Siochana, and Talent Nyamakope provided tools for improving health literacy and understanding online health information.
The panel was expertly facilitated by Dr Mary Dolan, Integrated Care for the Older Person, HSE.
Tamara Latham, Regional Literacy Coordinator for LOETB, said: "In Ireland, nearly one million people struggle to understand health information. Many are unsure about what their healthcare professionals are telling them.
"Often, people feel embarrassed to ask questions, which can affect their health. This event was a direct action by our regional coalition to help communities feel more confident about their health – and to know it’s okay to say, ‘I’m sorry, can you explain that again?’”
The event also featured information stands from the HSE, Age Friendly Ireland, Age Friendly Homes, LOETB Community Education, MABS, An Garda Síochána, Citizens Information, Healthy Offaly, Social Prescribing by Laois Partnership and more.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Health screenings provided by the Irish Heart Foundation and Hidden Hearing were especially popular and well-attended throughout the day.