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The Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll, has unveiled an ambitious framework designed to make County Cork a better place to grow older. The Cork County Age Friendly Strategy 2024-2028 lays out a clear path toward supporting the quality of life, independence, and health of older residents, reinforcing Cork’s commitment to becoming an “Age Friendly County.”
An Age Friendly County aims to create a community where older residents can live independently in their own homes, enjoy good health, and engage actively with their surroundings. This new strategy, crafted by the Cork County Age Friendly Alliance in collaboration with the Older Person’s Council, follows extensive consultations with residents, service providers, and community leaders.
The plan defines nine strategic goals to be addressed over the next four years, each linked to actions that impact essential areas such as transport, housing, health services, social inclusion, and employment. Island communities are also prioritised, ensuring that support reaches every corner of Cork County.
Cllr Joe Carroll, Mayor of the County of Cork, shared his thoughts on the strategy:
“County Cork is built on the experience of our older residents. Through community involvement and volunteering, by working and being active members of our business community, the essence of what makes our county a great place to live is built on their efforts. There have been many beneficial initiatives and developments undertaken across the county, resulting in improved quality of life for our older citizens, and I look forward to the impact this new strategy will have.”
Moira Murrell, Chief Executive of Cork County Council,
echoed this vision, saying, “People in County Cork are living longer, which is something to be celebrated. The Age Friendly Strategy aims to position County Cork to respond and enable older people to live active and healthy lives.”
Liz Downes, Chair of the Cork County Older People’s Council, underlined the importance of involving older residents directly:
“Age friendly programme strategies are informed by the views and needs of older people. They are the key to the process; their voice is at the heart of the Age Friendly design in every town, village, and community in Cork County. The Cork County Older People’s Council will ensure that older people are valued and appreciated and that they are listened to. If we all play a role in correcting perceptions and enabling greater interactions between generations, we can help to create a more cohesive society for people of all ages.”
For those interested, the full Cork County Age Friendly Strategy 2024-2028 can be accessed online at corkcoco.ie or agefriendlyireland.ie. Cork County residents over 55 can join the Older People’s Council by requesting an application via email at [email protected].