Seminar to focus on older people’s access to health and travel insurance.
The eighth annual Say No To Ageism Week was launched in the Bedford Hall, Dublin Castle today by Anne Sophie Parent of the EU’s AGE platform. The event jointly organised by the Equality Authority and the Health Service Executive is funded under the EU PROGRESS Initiative and takes place nationwide from May 30th to June 3rd 2011. “It is important each year to reflect on our attitudes to ageism in Irish society and this year’s campaign invites every person to say “I Say No To Ageism” said Angela Kerins, Chairperson of the Equality Authority.
“‘Say No to Ageism Week’ will further build on the work the HSE, the Equality Authority and the Department of Health and Children have done over the last number of years to create awareness about how older people can be discriminated against and highlight again the positive contribution that older people can make to society. This in turn will hopefully make us all aware of our attitudes to older people and how we behave towards them , ranging from everyday interaction to the way services are delivered to them. By examining our own attitudes towards older people, we can modify behaviour where required, which will result in respect and dignity for our older citizens. The week will also draw attention to the obstacles older people face when trying to access insurance services and products, particularly the issue of cost around travel and health insurance” said Paschal Moynihan, Specialist, HSE, Older Person Services.
“We are not only reminding ourselves of the negative stereotyping that surrounds ageism in society, but reaching out into sectors that provide services to older people such as health, transport and insurance. If these sectors work well then the quality of life of our older people is greatly enhanced. This week of activities is focussed on acknowledging and combating our own attitudes to ageism and leads in appropriately to World Elder Abuse Day on June 15th supported by the HSE” continued Angela Kerins.
“Insurance is a key sector. It is complicated and protected by actuarial judgements which often categorise an individual, rather than assess the potential risk of a person who reaches their 65th birthday. I welcome that the partners, in conjunction with our guests from academia, regulatory bodies and the EU, will discuss access to and the provision of health and travel insurance in the seminar that follows today’s launch. Anne Sophie Parent’s input on the work being done in Europe will be particularly relevant” she added.
“This year marks the eighth anniversary of Say No to Ageism Week, collaboration between the Equality Authority, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health and Children. This year the HSE wants to remind the public again that older people have the same rights as everybody else in society. Say No to Ageism posters and leaflets are also available nationwide and HSE staff are being asked to wear special pin badges to celebrate the week” continued Paschal Moynihan. “It is also an opportunity for the HSE to raise awareness about the issue of elder abuse ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15th June next on which day the HSE will publish its 2010 annual report on elder abuse services in Ireland” concluded Mr Moynihan.
“We hold public awareness and action-based initiatives at this time of year to stimulate and inform debate in order to draw attention to ageism in our society. There are real pressures on older people which this campaign can not address, but we can ensure that ageism does not prevent older people from accessing the goods and services they need to live a full and independent life in our society” concluded Angela Kerins.
Say No To Ageism Week has the support of the public transport sector including Luas/Veolia, Iarnrod Eireann, Bus Eireann, Dublin Bus and Pobail and by older people’s organisations. Posters and booklets are available to download from www.equality.ie
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