February NUI Galway Host Marginalised Homecare Webinar

This webinar will present research findings on older Traveller and older adult homeless groups and will critically assess current gaps and future opportunities

NUI Galway’s Irish Centre for Social Gerontology will lead the second webinar in the ‘Marginalised Ageing and Inclusive Systems Webinar Series’ on Thursday, 18 February at 3pm.

This webinar is a part of the Irish Gerontological Society’s 2020/2021 scientific programme, and draws on findings of the Older Traveller and Older Adult Homeless study, conducted by NUI Galway’s Irish Centre for Social Gerontology (ICSG), and in conjunction with co-investigators from NUI Galway, Queen’s University Belfast, Newcastle University and University of Limerick.

The study aimed to centralise the lived experiences of these older populations in the development of flexible and equitable care for positive health and ageing. Highlighting a range of barriers in accessing home support services, the study shows the potential for these groups to fall through the cracks in Ireland’s long-term and community care system.

During the webinar, researchers will present their findings and launch three briefing reports with their recommendations from the study. It will also feature perspectives of key stakeholders, international experts and members of the older Traveller and older homeless communities. 

Professor Kieran Walsh, Director of the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology and lead investigator in the research study, said: “It is difficult to talk about the situation of older Travellers and older homeless adults without acknowledging the massive deprivation of rights with respect to adequate housing, health, and equality of treatment that has been experienced by these populations. A concerted effort is required to ensure that future provisions of care help to address these deprivations, and not compound existing challenges to positive health and ageing for these growing sections of our ageing society.”

The briefing reports will be available after the webinar at www.icsg.ie/otoh.

To register for the event visit https://bit.ly/3tMM9jy.

This study was conducted by NUI Galway in collaboration with the HSE National Social Inclusion Office, Safety-Net Primary Care, Galway Traveller Movement, Age and Opportunity, Community Healthcare Organisation 8 and Pavee Point. It was funded by the HSE, Department of Health and Atlantic Philanthropies through the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative partnership. 

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