The Forty Shades of Grey seminar on Responding to the Challenges and Opportunities of an Ageing Society and Economy, was attended by invited guests including age sector leaders, academics, HSE chiefs, medics and current and former politicians including iar-Thaoisigh Brian Cowen and Enda Kenny. It was set up to explore perspectives on an ageing Ireland across themes of Society (Dr Jerry Cowley as speaker), Economy (Cliff Taylor), Law (Patricia Rickard-Clarke), Housing and the Neighbourhood (Tom Grey) and Politics (Róisín Shortall TD, Chair Sláintecare Committee).
With thematic discussions moderated by Dr Ann Coyle; and a focused session for facilitated discussion groups to gather up ‘Messages for the Commission on Care’ – the feedback from the event will be prepared for formal submission to the Professor Alan Barrett-chaired independent Commission.
For more information about the event and the speakers see - https://sageadvocacy.ie/policy/
Tom Grey from TrinityHaus spoke about ‘Housing continuum and an ‘all-neighbourhood’ approach to ageing, interdependence, and care’. Building on the collaborative research conducted by TrinityHaus in the areas of housing for older people, long-term residential care, age-inclusive urbanism, and design for care, Tom referred to the Irish saying “Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine”, meaning that ‘We live in each other’s shadow …‘shadow’ also meaning ‘shelter’ and emphasised the need for an ‘interdependence of care’ to help us achieve neighbourhoods and communities that bring us together and help us care for each other, that are better for us, consume less resources, and that let us care for, and be taken care of by nature.