THIS IS AN INDEPENDENT PULL OUT SUPPLEMENT ...doc.mediaplanet.com/all_projects/1562.pdfSENIOR YEARS – A TITLE FROM MEDIAPLANET Currently 11% of the population is aged over-65. The

THIS IS AN INDEPENDENT PULL OUT SUPPLEMENT FROM MEDIAPLANET DISTRIBUTED WITH THE IRISH INDEPENDENT

SENIOR YEARSDECEMBER 2007

Repairs that care:Reaching out to the more vulnerable members of society is vital, says TV'sDuncan Stewart.

Page 4

Residential communitiesThe face of residential care is changing -maintaining one's independent life is nowthe main focus.

Page 6

IT initiativeMinister Tom Kitt tells us why the Information Society can bring many benefits to older people.

Page 8

CyprusThe Mediterranean island of Cyprus is theperfect destination for some much-neededwinter sun!

Page 14

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But is this a threat or an oppor-tunity? That depends on howour planners and politicians

prepare for these changes and how we, as a society, treat our olderpeople.

The issue of an ageing populationis not unique to Ireland. In fact, weare still the babies of the EU. Some19% of the Italian population isover-65, with the Germans (18%),and Swedes, Belgians and Spanish(17%) also coming to terms with age-ing issues.

Ireland has begun planning forthe changing needs of its changingpopulation. The new programme forgovernment includes a commitmentto a National Positive Ageing Strate-gy, the government recently pub-lished its Green Paper on pensionsand the social partnership agree-ment Towards 2016 also has com-

mitments to older people. Of course,these important building blocks forthe future must not prevent action oncurrent issues and problems. Theacid test of Brian Cowen’s budgettoday (December 5) will be theimpact on the quality of life of Ire-land’s 480,000 pensioners next year.Will it provide adequate pensionincome to remove the risk of povertyand proper services to enable allolder people stay in their ownhomes?

Pensions and services are amongthe major concerns for older people.With half of the current pensionersdepending solely on the State Pension, increases in this paymenthold the key to lifting older peopleout of poverty.

The majority of older people alsowant to remain living in their ownhomes. Services such home helps,

day care centres, rural transport andmeals on wheels services are essen-tial if older people are to be enabledto live full and satisfying lives intheir own homes.

Society also has to tackle age dis-crimination if older people are to beallowed to participate fully in theircommunity. Age discrimination notonly penalises older people, but alsoprevents communities accessing avaluable source of experience andvolunteers.

Age discrimination must beremoved from the workplace.Mandatory retirement ages should beabolished and more flexible workingand retirement options offered to allworkers.

Despite the impediments, manyolder people are living satisfyinglives at the heart of their communi-ties. As an organisation which works

hard to improve the plight of allolder people, Age Action believesthat governments and communities,working together, can make Irelandthe best place in the world to growold in.

Robin Webster, Chief Executive,Age Action Ireland.

The Difference Between Counting the Years and Living Them

Our ServicesFrom a couple of hours a day up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, our Caregiversprovide a ready smile whilst offering these services:

Being able to live at home can be one of the most important comforts in an elderly person’s life.Because family members cannot always be there, we take great pride in making sure our Caregivers are there to help. Home Instead Senior Care helps older adults witheveryday tasks that allow them to live independently, wherever they call home.The quality of care, affordability and accountability provided by our team have earned a deep level of trust amongst our clients, their families and thousands of health, medicaland social services organisations across the world. It is also important to note that we help our clients get tax relief on the cost of care provided.

Our CaregiversWe place great emphasis on matching our clients personality background and interestswith those of our Caregivers. All our Caregivers provide four references, undergo Gardaclearance, and are directly employed by ourselves. We handle all their Tax, PRSI,Holidays and Insurance Entitlements. At that stage our CAREGivers go through a multi phase training programme.

- Companionship- Light Housekeeping- Meal Preparation

- Personal Assistance- Local Transportation- Convalescence Support

- Respite Care- Dementia Care

Ireland’s Trusted Sourceof Home Care for Seniors Dublin, Cork, Galway, Wexford, Wicklow. Contact 1890-930013

Ireland is ageing and the country is faced with the challenge of meeting the needs of a changing society.

Robin Webster, Chief Executive, Age Action Ireland.

CONTENTS

Repairs that care pg. 4Care in the home pg. 5Revised scheme boostsmobility around the home pg. 5Ireland follows suit withresidential communities pg. 6Nursing home care pg. 6IT initiative increasesaccess for older users pg. 7IT is for everyone pg. 7A digital guiding hand pg. 8Silver surfers pg. 8Not hard for hearing pg. 9A vision of age pg. 11It’s a process to plan a funeral pg. 12Finally have the time to travel pg. 13Cyprus: The real winter wonderland pg. 14Norway pg. 15

Project Manager: Auria Bohn Layout: Pontén & Engwall ABText: BeCreative • Prepress: Jez MacBean Print: Irish Independent

For more information on Mediaplanet supplements: Sigurd M. Gran +353 1 2409 319

MP Publishing House Ltd Reg. no. 439216 Registered in IrelandDirectors: Sigurd Midthun Gran (Norway), Richard Båge (Sweden)

Mediaplanet is pleased to publish the firstedition of Senior Years. Its our aim is to helpolder adults achieve and maintain the high-est quality of life possible and we’ll be takinglook at their unique issues and potentials.

SENIOR YEARS – A TITLE FROM MEDIAPLANET

Currently 11% of the population is aged over-65. The CSO predicts this will rise to15% by 2021 and 20% by 2036. By 2050 it is estimated there will be more people inIreland aged over-65 than under-18.


“There are a lot of older people wholive alone that are facing a major fuelpoverty issue. Every winter, they areliving in their homes with a hugedeficiency of heating, and living invery unhealthy conditions,” sighsDuncan Stewart, reflecting on theannual crisis that affects many olderpeople as the cold months set in.

“We are going into an energy cri-sis, where costs are probably going todouble. As prices increase, so doesfuel poverty, and more and morepeople are going to suffer.”

A prominent environmental archi-tect, as well as Ireland's favouritebuilding expert, Duncan recentlylaunched Age Action's Care andRepair programme.

“The Care and Repair programmeis run by Age Action, with supportfrom Irish Life,” says Duncan. “It willinvolve older, skilled people whohave retired, and do have the time tospare to use those skills to help otherolder people. Anyone with abilitiesin building and construction can getinvolved. Younger people can alsovolunteer.

“Volunteers will go into the homesof people who have issues concern-ing energy, as well as everyday prob-lems such as small repairs, that peo-ple on their own find hard to getdone themselves, like plumbing andso on, and help to fix them.”

The Care and Repair programme iscurrently in operation in Dublinpostal districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and12 at the moment, with a networkalso working in Galway city. Thesuccess of the first two projects willlead to a nationwide rollout of thescheme over the next three years.

Volunteers will carry out repairsand minor tasks, such as installingsmoke alarms, tacking down carpet,painting, or changing light bulbs.

The care aspect of the servicebrings a friendly face into a home,providing important social contactand helping to prevent isolation andvulnerability.

Care and Repair also operates a reg-ister of reliable trades people for big-ger jobs. A recommendation for serv-ices gives people the confidence toknow that a job will be completed pro-

fessionally and at a fair price. To backup that confidence, the programmealso offers a 'QuoteCheck' service,where a knowledgeable volunteer canassess the cost of a repair so that theclient can have a better idea of howmuch is reasonable to pay.

“The concept is designed to spreadto local communities across thecountry. There are so many peoplewho do have skills, and can do vol-untary work. There are a lot of peo-ple out there who do want to help,and give some of their time. It can beanything from putting a lock on adoor, to fixing a light, or repairing acurtain rail.

“The focus of the group, therefore,is to focus on the small jobs in thehome that need to be done, and thenduring the time spent with the person,identify if there are other problems.

“I have personally seen someincredible situations with olderwomen and men living by them-selves and who have no heating at allin their homes, or they have one-barheaters or incredibly energy-expen-sive sources of fuel. They are living

in one room, as they cannot afford toheat the whole house. The rest of thehome is absolutely freezing, and theroom they are in is completely sealedup, with poor ventilation, as anyvents are usually blocked as a way ofconserving energy wherever possi-ble. This leads to an increased dangerof carbon monoxide poisoning andother problems. It’s a big issue at themoment, but it is going to get evenbigger in the future.”

Volunteers for Care and Repair arenow required, particularly in the DublinDocklands area and in Galway city.Anyone with a reasonable level of

DIY and home repair skills would bewelcome. A commitment to just onejob each month is asked, with train-ing and insurance provided.

Clients can also make themselvesknown directly to Age Action. Anyolder person who has a small repairjob can get in touch to receive assis-tance. The service itself is free ofcharge, although there is an agreedcharge for any materials that areused, and voluntary donations arealways welcomed. ■

Care and Repair can be contact on lo-call 1890 369 369, or atcare&[email protected]

Repairs that care

Broadcaster Duncan Stewart launches Age Action’s Care and Repair Service. The home DIY and visitationservice for older people, sponsored by Irish Life, is currently running in Galway. Volunteers, especiallythose with DIY skills are needed. Also pictured are (from left) Kevin Murphy, Irish Life, Dara Duane andTony Gately, Care and Repair Galway, Carol Pemberton, Irish Life, and Robin Webster, Age Action.

An innovative service which provides a minor DIY and home visitation service forolder people has been launched by broadcaster and architect Duncan Stewart.

Photo: Lensmen

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Care in the home Revised scheme boostsmobility around the home

Avast amount of products andservices are now available tohelp people to continue to

lead independent lives in their ownhomes. With the focus on disabilityfirmly on what CAN be achieved,rather than what cannot, gettingextra help with certain daily tasksneed not be a major problem.

If mobility around the house is aproblem for you or someone you careabout, knowing what help exists canbe an issue. With the huge choice onthe market, it can be difficult todecide which product can deliver themaximum benefit. That word ‘mar-ket’ also brings its own problem. Isthe product that will help the mostalso the most affordable?

Assist Ireland, developed by theCitizens Information Board, providescomprehensive help and advice inhow to access such products andservices, detailing what is availableand how to get it.

“Assist Ireland has a huge data-base on aids and appliances, most ofwhich are used in the home environ-ment,” says Moira Fraser. With ahuge product catalogue availableonline, the organisation can provideguidance on both small items tomajor systems requiring adaptivebuilding work in the home.

“Most of our calls and queries areabout day-to-day living aids – thingsto help people get up and downstairs, changing a bath into a level-access shower, and so on,” continuesFraser. However, Assist Ireland can

also provide details on high-endservices also.

When people purchase any item,regardless of its use, cost is always amajor factor. Unfortunately, thesame is true for customers of assis-tive products.

“People can purchase such aidsand appliances either privately, orthrough their local authorities withgrant assistance,” says Fraser.

The recently launched MobilityAids Grant Scheme for example wasdesigned to ‘compliment’ the systemby fast-tracking applications forfunds for smaller, one-off items. “TheMobility Aids Grant Scheme has alimit of €6000, so if you just wantone item, or small adaptation work,this scheme will speed-up theprocess. For simple things like agrab-rail, or changing a bath, thisscheme will help to provide suchassistance and enable people toaccess minor adaptations relativelyquickly,” says Fraser. ■

Today, it is generally acknowl-edged that older people shouldbe able to continue to live in

the homes they worked to provide foras long as possible. With a greaterawareness of the fact that care needsto take into account all of a person’sneeds, both physically and mentally,efforts to allow people to lead asindependent a life as possible havetaken become recognised as afavoured solution for all concerned.Indeed, as our older populationincreases, such solutions will have tobecome the norm, in order to reducethe burden on both public and pri-vate care facilities.

However, just because a personmay find that she is unable to per-form everyday tasks as easily as sheused to, this does not mean that inde-pendent home living is not possible.Home care, also known as homehelp, is a service that can ensure thatpeople continue to maintain theirlifestyle despite the physical prob-lems brought about by getting older.

“We provide a trusted range ofservices to older people to allowthem to continue to be independentand to live in their homes for longerthan otherwise may be possible,”says Ed Murphy of Home InsteadSenior Care. A private care organisa-tion with networks throughout theworld, Home Instead provides careon many levels for its clients.

“To take one example of a client,the carer would start the day bybringing her a daily newspaper,before helping her take a shower or abath,” says Murphy. “Then shewould perhaps get her clothes ready,provide clean towels or whatever,depending on how much assistance

the client requires. If she required,she would prepare her breakfast,before helping her down the stairs.

“One of the things that older peo-ple may find difficult is to change abed, with the pulling and dragging ofsheets, so the carer will change thebedclothes once or twice a week.She’ll put on a wash, do some iron-ing, vacuuming, dusting, and so on.

“Most older people like to eat amain meal in the middle of the day,so the carer will prepare a hot, nutri-tious lunch, as well as preparing asandwich, soup or salad for later onin the day. In a morning’s visit, thecarer has helped the client to preparefor the whole day.

“Other things the carer can do is tohelp with exercise, take the client outof the house for appointments orsocial visits, and so on.”

One aspect of a daily visit by acaregiver is that of providing compa-ny to a person. With many widowedpeople living alone, women in par-ticular, seeing a friendly face eachday can provide a huge boost to theirconfidence and outlook.

“Companionship is a huge area ofconsideration. With people livingalone, just to have someone in thehouse to discuss the daily news, or todeal with issues or challenges, or justto have someone to ask an opinion of– that companionship is hugelyimportant.” ■

Moira Fraser, Assist Ireland

Ed Murphy of Home Instead Senior Care

• They handle the administration of payroll, payrolltaxes, PRSI, holidays and employers & public liabilityinsurance.

• The service includes a free in-home consultation andcontinues with ongoing status reports and dialoguewith client’s family.

• Because you pay privately, you decide the hours,

whether 3 hours a week or 24/7, 365 days a year. Theycan expand or reduce hours as the client’s needs change.

• Family harmony is maintained by having an outsideprofessional rather than some family members havingto take the full responsibility of care.

• They have a bank of Carers and so can provide care onshort notice.

Benefits of using a private Provider.

Whilst we take living in our own homes for granted, the effects of getting older mayput that independence at risk. Up until fairly recently, anyone labelled with the‘infirm’ tag would have removed from their own homes with little consideration givento the psychological effects of being uprooted and having their personal responsibilitygiven to someone else.

Usually comprised of a groupof around a hundred flats andhouses, homes are designed

to meet the needs of retired people ofvarying needs.

Unusually, in particular for theIrish concept of retirement, manysuch communities are targeted atpeople from the age of 55, ratherthan 60 or 65, as might be expectedhere.

Very distinct from a nursing home,retirement communities offer a largedegree of independent living, albeitwith the provision of specific servic-es in order to appeal to those whowant to continue to live in their ownhomes, but do not necessarily wantall of the responsibility of caring fora property.

“A well-run retirement villagegives people back the most importantthing over which they have control,”says Henry Burrows of GlendaleEstate. “They do not have controlover their health, but they do havecontrol over their time. We give peo-ple that time.”

Burrow’s development in Tullow,Co. Carlow is one that stands com-parison to communities overseas.Offering such facilities as home care- help with housework, changingbeds, and house maintenance - aswell as estate management servicesto provide security and upkeep ofpublic areas.

“The concept of the retirement vil-lage is very much to give people timeto do things that they otherwisewould not have the time to do in

their own homes,” says Burrows.“We do that by providing variousservices, such as a 24-hour emer-gency maintenance, taking away thehassle of such problems. Lookingafter refuse collection, gardening,security, and so on, is all lookedafter.”

Burrows is quick to acknowledgethat traditional Irish values have

emphasised the importance of own-ing ones own home, and stayingthere for as long as possible. Howev-er, changes in lifestyles here meanthat, for many older people, this isnot always a desirable option.

One of the major advantages of aretirement community developmentis that 24-hour security is provided,with the inclusion perhaps of a maingate to deter unauthorised visitors.Knowing that security is provided,and help is available at the touch of abutton or from a phone call providesmany people with confidence.

Medical care is another importantprovision of retirement communities.Many have private nursing homecare close by - even if a person doesnot require that level of care, it existsas a facility if a problem should arise.Being able to summon a nurse orother medical personnel is also amajor benefit.

Security and care are probably thetwo main attractions of choosing tolive in a retirement community.However, just as important is thesocial aspect – the word ‘community’means just that.

As Irish life changes faster than many people would like toadmit, older generations may feelalienated from traditional commu-nities that bear no resemblance tothose they lived in, in years goneby. Perhaps the main attraction inreality is that of regaining thatsense of community rarely on offeroutside of such developments in21st Century Ireland. ■


Ireland follows suite withresidential communitiesHugely popular in countries such as the United States and Australia for many years,retirement communities are now being developed here in Ireland.

Care of older people has changed radically in Irelandover the past few years. As an economy that has bothdelivered to families fiscal rewards and increased timepressure, older people who require care are now not nec-essarily able to rely on their children and other relativesto provide that support.

When independent living isno longer viable, privatenursing home care is one

option. With perceptions havingchanged radically, nursing homescan provide both the care and atten-tion that is needed in order to ensurea continued standard of living withthe extra support that may berequired.

However, with hospital beds occu-pied by patients who may be better-served by care within a nursing homeenvironment, factors such as theavailability of care and how much itcosts to provide are still major fac-tors to consider.

Tadgh Daly is the chair of the IrishNursing Homes Organisation (INHO),and is well aware of the current needfor both increased provision of careand for clear guidelines in how toimplement it.

DJ: Is nursing home care provision inIreland of a good standard?TD: The vast majority of nursinghomes operate to a very high stan-dard; the difficulty at the moment isthat there are no specific nationalstandards [of care]. Current regula-tions are vague, and open to inter-pretation, which doesn’t really helpmatters. The INHO is working to helpimplement those standards.

DJ: There seems to be a lack ofdefined guidelines for private nursinghome care currently. What can bedone to resolve this?

TD: There needs to be an independ-ent regulator. The Health ServiceExecutive (HSE) is ‘wearing a num-ber of hats’ in the debate – they pur-chase care from the private sector,they provide care in their own units,and they are also the inspectorate.We have been campaigning for quitea number of years for an independ-ent inspectorate. The INHO is not theregulator.

DJ: Cost is another major issue. Doyou think that private nursing homecare is too expensive?TD: There is no way that a high stan-dard of care can be delivered withsome of the rates that are being paidby the HSE at the moment. Value formoney is important, but we shouldn’tconfuse that with an attack on thedignity and wellbeing of older people.

Care is an expensive commodity.Private nursing home care is stillcheaper than public nursing homecare. A recent report that we pub-lished with Age Action found thatprivate care cost around €1700 perweek, whereas the cost of keepingsomeone in a public bed is anywherebetween €4000 and €6000 per week.Cost IS important, but it should beconsidered that if acute care isrequired, the person is probably bet-ter off in a nursing home, becausemore appropriate care is available.We are a wealthy economy. If wecan’t look after our old people, weshould ask ourselves some seriousquestions. ■

est. 1989

CARING AS WE WOULD LIKETO BE CARED FOR OURSELVES

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Nursing home care

Henry Burrows, Glendale Estates

Enjoy your favourite foods once again

Foods that you once enjoyed - crusty bread, steak, hardvegetables - are now impossible to chew. Having to limityour diet could also mean not getting the right balance ofvitamins and minerals that are required for good health asyou get older. You may find that you avoid social occasionslike dinners out or any social occasions that involve food.Are you worried when you are invited to a wedding orchristening that you will be unable to chew or that yourdentures will come loose?

Thankfully, there is an effective solution.Mini dental implants are a popular option as part of the largerange of specialist treatments available at The SeapointClinic. For the many people who struggle with the problemof loose-fitting dentures, mini implants are an effective wayof eradicating the problem for good. The whole procedurecan be done in about an hour with little or no pain.

Tiny implants secure the denture in place until it isremoved by the wearer himself. The implants are insertedinto the upper or lower jaw (depending on where they are

required) in a procedure that is quick, and completely pain-free, and generally completed in about an hour. Therecovery time is also just as fast – most implant wearers caneat a light meal just an hour after having the treatment.

Giving denture wearers back the confidence to knowthat they can eat whatever they want without the risk of thedenture becoming detached, even ‘forbidden’ foods likesteaks and toffee are now back on the menu!

Mini implants are made from titanium alloy that thebody unites with – a completely safe solution. They havebeen licensed across the world for long-term use, and areideal to be used with older patients as they cause little or nosensitivity.

Mini dental implants have been part of the treatmentrange for many years at the state of the art Seapoint Clinic.Many patients’ lives have been changed completely as aresult of receiving the implants. If you would like to talk tosomeone who has already experienced the huge benefits thatthe implants can bring to everyday life, the clinic will behappy to put you in touch so you can receive an un-biased

opinion. Testimonials are also available on the website. VHI members who wear dentures may be entitled to the

implants completely free of charge. For other patients, eachimplant costs just €500, which is tax-deductible.

For more information on this life-changing treatment, orto discuss your general dental requirements in detail, and inconfidence, contact the Seapoint Clinic on 01 284 2570 or01 214 0566. Visit them online at www.seapointclinic.ie.

We look forward to hearing from you, and helping you to smile again!

If you are a denture wearer, you will be all too familiar with the hazards of loose

fitting dentures and the problems that they can bring. Not only do they look

unsightly, but also they are often so uncomfortable that many simply do not

bother to wear them at all.

The Seapoint Clinic, 23 Seapoint Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

Tel: (01) 284 2570, (01) 214 0566

[email protected] www.seapointclinic.ie


IT Initiative increasesaccess for older users The Access, Skills and Content Initiative is an innovative scheme set up in 2006. Itsmain aim is to help voluntary organisations, community groups and service providersreach out to so-called 'late adopters' of information technology. 'Late adopters' havebeen identified primarily as older people and people living with disabilities.

As the use of the internet, email and mobile communica-tions continues to be an essential fact-of-life for mostpeople, many older people may feel somewhat left out ofthe so-called ‘information revolution’.

T hose who have retired willprobably not come into con-tact with computers in a work

environment, and have probably nothad the same exposure to technologyin either a professional or homeenvironment.

“This is the last generation that hasnot had the opportunity to work withnew technology in work or school,”says Anne Nevill of Age Action.

Age Action runs a popular IT edu-cation course, targeted solely at olderpeople who want to upgrade theirskills to include using computers andthe internet.

“The courses are designed to over-come the fear that older people mightfeel in relation to computers,” saysAnne. “Training is given in smallpeer groups, with no more than threeor four people per trainer.

“A person who completes the pro-gramme will be able to use a comput-er independently, for basic thingslike sending and receiving and email,and using the internet. They will alsohave a good understanding of how acomputer works.”

The world of information technol-ogy is not one that has an upper agelimit.

“Many people want to be included,and don’t want to be left out. Theymay fear that IT could be intimidat-ing, and also you have to learn spe-cific skills for the use of the computerthat you don’t have in other areas –for example, using a mouse, select-ing text, and so on. But these are allskills that can be acquired.”

The Age Action courses have provedhugely popular. About 600 people

have completed various classes so far,in Dublin, Galway and Monaghan.The programme will be introducednationwide from 2008.

“People can contact Age Actiondirectly, or they can go to their locallibrary to be included on the listthere. Various forms of training areon offer, from a couple of hours ofbasic IT training, to schemes like AgeAction’s, with six weeks of intensivetraining in IT specifically designedfor older people. The courses are freeof charge.” ■

IT is for everyone

Being part of a global networkof users, many people takethe internet and its advan-

tages for granted. However, forgroups such as older people, theinternet can remain out of reach.This may be for various reasons,including cost, and even fear of whatinternet technology involves.

‘We need to take the fear away,’says Minister of State at the Depart-ment of the Taoiseach, and Ministerfor the Information Society, Tom KittT.D. With the main aim of bridgingthe digital divide to incorporate allsectors of Irish society, Minister Kittis eager to encourage local groups totake advantage of the scheme.

‘Encouraging full participation in

the information society is vital,’ he says.The project started with €1.5m in

funds, with the main aim of assistingprojects that have a focus on digitalcontent and promoting skills. Thisyear’s funding will double thatamount to around €3m.

‘There are a number of aspects toaddressing the problem of the digitaldivide, and it is not just about gettingaccess to technology,’ says the Minis-ter. ‘It is more important for people tohave fundamental skills to use tech-nologies wherever they are and thebenefits of using technology can beseen in circumstances where it makesa difference to them and their lives.Properly and imaginatively used,new technologies can have a very

beneficial impact on what people aredoing, whether that is in education, atwork, or just coping with the chal-lenges and demands of everyday life.’

Such organisations that werehelped in 2006 include the 1428Active Retirement Club, whichreceived funds to teach basic internetand email skills. The South TipperaryOlder Peoples Network was funded tocreate training programmes to pro-mote everyday practical uses ofinformation technology. The Out-house Community Resource Centre inDublin is using its grant to run com-puting and internet workshops for itsmembers who are over the age of 50.

■

Team work: Student Maire O’Kelly and her tutorAllen Smith, both from Rathmines, making realprogress as part of the Getting Started computertraining programme run by Age Action.

Ken Dixon, Vincent Savage and Katie McGingreceiving their Getting Started certificates fromthe then Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Vincent Jackson, last June.

eInclusion Minister Tom Kitt at Age Action Ireland, with Get started students Rosemary Parr, Cabra, and Allan Gardner, Phibsborough.


Today, the communicationsrevolution means that thephone in the corner is being

displaced rapidly by the meteoric riseof the mobile phone, and the variousdifferent functions that can now beprovided over a line – broadbandinternet, video calls, (the now tradi-tional) fax, amongst others.

Deciding on a communicationsprovider, and selecting service tariffsmay be a headache for people at thebest of times. For someone who isembarking on such a decision forperhaps the first time, however, mak-ing that decision can be a dauntingprospect.

With this in mind, ComReg, theCommission for CommunicationsRegulation, has published a series of

clear and concise guides, aimed atolder people and those living withdisabilities, outlining services andproducts that can help people get themost from their phonecalls andinternet. Subjects covered includeVoIP, switching telephone providers,preventing cold calls, and internetconnections.

‘These consumer guides were cre-ated in cooperation with the NationalDisability Authority,’ says KerryO’Hare of ComReg. ‘Designed tointroduce the basics of phones andbroadband, they offer clear informa-tion about what is out there, as wellas explanations of terminology andcontact details.’

The guide highlights essentialservices that overcome aspects of

technology that may be a barrier tosome older people. SMS-to-speechconverts text messages into speech,so that they can be listened to, incase a user cannot see the phonescreen clearly. Another service isfree directory enquiry calls to certainproviders if a user cannot use thepaper version of the phone book.

Telephones can be adapted to suitvarying needs. Large keys withincrease-size numbers are importantfor those with impaired vision orproblems pressing smaller buttons.Flashing lights on phones can bevital for those who have impairedhearing and may not be able to heara ringtone clearly. Knowing how toactivate the vibration function on amobile phone can also make a huge

difference. Popular internet servicessuch as voice-over IP (makingphonecalls using the internet con-nection) and instant messaging canmean a great deal to a person whowants to stay in touch with family or

friends who live abroad - and canpresent huge savings on bills, too.Knowing that these services exist,and are easy to use, can open up awhole new world of communication.

■

The internet no longer holdsthe air of mystery that it oncedid ten years ago, when itsmain adherents were thosewho accessed via work oruniversities.

Having developed into a pow-erful tool for everyone,rather than the select few,

today’s older generation is perhapsthe one remaining group that reachedadulthood without having at leastsome previous contact with comput-ers. However, that does not precludeolder people from acquiring the skills

to become both technically proficientand confident to exploit all the bene-fits that the internet has to offer.

In the UK, the organisers of theannual Silver Surfers' Day seek tohighlight benefits that informationtechnology training can bring toolder people. After all, the informa-tion revolution was meant to speedup the process of communicationand to enable closer connections toother people, regardless of theirphysical distance - surely older peo-ple are one of the main social groupswho should stand to gain the mostfrom such services?

Another, practical, reason to pro-mote use of the internet is the cost

savings that can be achieved byusing online services. An interestingpoint raised by the Silver Surfers'Day group is that, whilst their chil-dren and grandchildren may be pay-ing a bill, applying for road tax, orchecking a bank balance all online,many older people will be at the

queuing at the post office, councilbuilding or bank to do exactly thesame task, often in the cold weather.

Another advantage is that of beingable to meet people to build strongerrelationships. Whilst all the talk inthe media may be of younger peopleusing sites such as Facebook or

online dating groups, many olderpeople also require versions of suchservices for their own needs.

“There are many over-55’s using ourservice,” says Tony Blin Stoyle of inter-national matchmaking website Par-ship.ie. “This group is becoming muchmore active on the internet, using it forall sorts of things, even finding a long-term relationship. Older people aremore likely to be divorced or widowed,so it is a valuable service for peopledon’t want to go clubbing or go to thepub to try to find somebody.”

The democratisation of electronicinformation means that the internetis very much open to anyone whowishes to partake.For those whoknow how to get online, there is awhole new world waiting to be dis-covered – what do you have to lose?

■

A digital guiding hand

Silver Surfers

In the past, the only way to have a telephone in the home was to contact Telecom Éireannto request both a line and the apparatus necessary to begin to make and receive calls.

Why are we different?We believe we have created and implemented an ultimate company for delivering social care services. We have brought together medical and non medical services - we deliberately called ourselves a Clinic because we provide a professional medical treatment complimented by home care services. Every client, especially in an emergency situation can call one of our nurses or doctors without having to wait for hours for a public health representative. Waiting in such a situation is unacceptable!

Services we offer:• Home care• Home help• Convalescent care• Personal assistance• Family support service

Medical Clinic: GP doctors, Paediatrician, ENT specialist, Dentist, blood tests, vaccinations, ECG and ultrasound scans.

We provide 24 hour care 7 days a week delivering Home Help/Care Services.If you are a private client you can choose any number of hours you wish. You can book 7 hours per week in the morning time or 24/7 care, 365 days a year in your own home. You can claim tax relief on payments to Home Care Clinic of up to 50000 per annum.

Home Care Clinic Ltd. is a company established by a team of experienced home carers working with elderly and disabled people for years. We are focu-sing on supporting people at home, giving them an opportunity to inde-pendent life in their homes instead of nursing homes or hospitals. Our clients receive a proper level of support and care in the place that they feel safe, secure and comfortable.

To book an appointment Phone (01)8500617 or 0872277946353a North Circular RoadPhibsborough, Dublin 7www.homecareclinic.com

Why should you choose Home Care Clinic?

We care!


L oss of hearing is an almostinevitable fact of the agingprocess. The actual medical

term to describe the condition ispresbycusis, and initial symptomscan include general difficulty inhearing, problems focusing on a con-versation when there is backgroundnoise, or even tinnitus - ringing inthe ears.

Presbycusis is caused by eitherloss or damage to the minute haircells in the inner ear that help toprocess sound waves. Whilst a majorcause of such damage is down toaging, other causes can includeaccumulated damage from loudnoise and genetics, amongst othercauses.

Regardless of the negative effectsof presbycusis, everyone experiencesdegradation of hearing after the ageof around 18 years, however imper-ceptible that reduction may be.Indeed, mobile phone ring tone com-panies have sought to capitalise onthis phenomenon by selling high-

pitched ring tones to schoolchildrenon the basis that adults cannot hearthem!

“Most people only realise that theyhave started to lose their hearingwhen about 35-40 per cent [of it] hasgone,” says Neil Morrison, of hearingaid provider Acoustic TechnologiesLtd. “That is when it starts to effecteveryday life – people can stop goingout, and start to withdraw from life.”

A hearing aid is the most practicalway of helping a person who is expe-riencing such problems. However,even though the modern concept ofthe hearing aid has been available invarious forms for over hundred years(most widely-known is the ‘speakingtube’), the device does not provide aperson with hearing; that is to say, itsname describes exactly what it does– it is an aid to hearing, but one thatcan mean the difference between acontinued standard of living and ofone of withdrawal and resignation.

“Today’s hearing aids benefit frombetter sound reproduction. Most aids

use digital technology now, asopposed to an analogue device in thepast. Indeed, for an analogue hear-ing aid to attempt to perform to thesame standard as a digital device, it would have to be carried around ina suitcase! As technology has devel-oped, so it has had an impact onhearing aids. What was our besthearing aid four years ago nowwouldn’t even be our worst aidtoday,” says Morrison. “Modernhearing aids all have noise reductionand feedback cancellation – so theywon’t whistle.”

In terms of the cost of acquiringhearing aids, there is assistanceavailable. Irish taxpayers can availof up to half of the cost of a hearingaid on application to the Departmentof Social and Family Affairs.

One interesting aspect of the costof hearing aids is that prices havegenerally neither increased nordecreased in recent years.

“Although costs have stayed thesame, the quality of hearing aids

have become much better,” saysMorrison. “For the same cost up untilrecently, the standard of hearing aidthat is available now has increaseddramatically.”

Of course, the old maxim that pre-vention is better than cure alsoapplies to our hearing. Ever since theintroduction of the personal cassetteplayer, playing music at high vol-umes through headphones has beendiscouraged by health organisations.With the massive popularity of MP3players amongst all age groups, this

advice is as pertinent as ever.When working near loud noise,

ear protection, such as noise can-celling headphones, should alwaysbe worn. Regular cleaning to reducebuild-up of earwax should also bepart of the personal hygiene process.

If you suspect that your hearinghas changed, it is always wise to visita GP to investigate further - accept-ing the possible problem and takingsteps to deal with it will always bemore beneficial than ignoring it.

■

Siemens Hearing Instruments – Contact us for a free demonstration…

What really matters to hearing aid wearers is the most natural, personal, and comfortable listening experience possible. To arrange a demonstration with your local Hearing Aid Audiologist please call Acoustic Technologies Ltd – Dublin,Irish distributor of Siemens Hearing Instruments.

I hear with something that you can’t see….

PO Box 10005, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5

E-mail: [email protected] Freefone Number 1800 301 335Acoustic Technologies Ltd

Not hard of hearingOne of the most noticeable effects of getting older is the impact it has on the senses. Sightand hearing are the two senses that are probably most at risk of deterioration, with little thatcan be done to reverse the process.

Loss of hearing is an almost inevitable fact of the aging process.


The guide is available in Large Print, Easy-to-Read, Braille and Audio from theCommission for Communications Regulation on (LoCall) 1890 229 668 andthe National Disability Authority on 01 608 0400. Accessible electronicversions are also available on:www.askcomreg.ie and www.nda.ie

Phones & Broadbanda guide for people with disabilities and older people

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PresmyopiaPresmyopia, or loss of flexibility inthe eye’s lens, is the most commoneffect of aging on the eyes. Whilstthe term sounds very serious (myopiais the formal term for short-sighted-ness), it is actually used to describethe almost inevitable degradation ofeyesight that starts to happen when aperson is in his or her forties or

fifties. Indeed, only around two percent of people do not require somekind of ocular assistance – for themost part, reading glasses.

Macular Degeneration“Macular degeneration, commonlyknown as age-related maculardegeneration is a progressive condi-tion that cannot be reversed, butthere are some treatments that canslow down its progress,” says PeterColeman, of the Association ofOptometrists Ireland.

“In many cases, when an optometristsuspects that there is a problem, he orshe will refer the client to his or her GP,or to an ophthalmologist, who will bebetter placed to deal with such issues.”

GlaucomaAnother age-related issue is glauco-ma. Although it can affect people atany age, older people, genetics and

people of African descent have ahigher risk of developing the condi-tion. An eye disease that damagesthe optic nerve - the part of the eyethat transfers signals from the eyes tothe brain - people with the conditionusually find that their peripheralvision is the first sign that somethingis wrong.

There is no definitive cure forglaucoma, but there are treatmentsavailable to manage it, ranging fromeye drops to surgery.

Cataracts“Cataracts are very much an age-related deteriorative condition,” con-tinues Peter Coleman. The lens of theeye that controls focus can becomecloudy, and can make vision appearhazy. “The remedy for cataracts is asimple operative procedure – a well-established operation that is carriedout daily on patients. ■

An inevitable aspect of aging is the physical effect of the process on our bodies.Whilst it cannot be denied that many of those effects can be at the very least frustrat-ing, such changes can also be disabling. The eyes are one area in particular wherechanges are obviously very apparent, and can have a profound effect on lifestyle andindependence.

A vision of ageMost people probably do not

give a second thought tothe process of saliva pro-

duction. A fluid that is produced inthe mouth, it has many purposes: tohelp break down enzymes in food soit can be digested; to protect teethfrom acids; to be a natural antibac-terial agent to help protect againstoral complaints.

A common problem, but not onethat is given a great deal of promi-nence, is that of dry mouth. Causedwhen saliva production is reduced –for any number of reasons – drymouth is an irritating problem thatcan actually lead to other com-plaints.

“The sensation of having a drymouth is not particularly pleasant,”says Micheál Coughlan of Offaly-based company Europharma. “It[normal saliva production] is some-thing that we all take for granted –once that has stopped, it can actuallybe a big thing to deal with.”

A problem for many older people,especially women (the aging processis one possible cause of dry mouth),there is no definitive cure for inhibit-ed saliva production.

“Dry mouth is a side-effect of over400 commonly-prescribed medica-

tions, anything from anti-cholesteroltreatments to anti-depressants,” saysCoughlan.

“Primarily, people suffer from drymouth in the mornings, although itcan be an problem at any time duringthe day. People with dry mouth areprone to mouth ulcers, chapped lipsand gum disease. Saliva is a naturalantibacterial substance that usuallyhelps to prevent such problems.”

Although dry mouth cannot becured, there are products on the mar-ket that can help sufferers to copewith its effects.

“Dry mouth can really affect a suf-ferer’s quality of life.For example,people with dry mouth cannot useordinary toothpaste. Such productscontain drying agents, which exacer-bate the problem. Anti-dry mouthproducts do not contain such agents,so can be of great help.”

People who experience dry mouthshould consult their GP for advice. Aproblem that could be ignored, drymouth may also be an indicator ofmore serious conditions, such as dia-betes. Even though there is not acure available yet, people living withdry mouth do not have to live withthe burden of its effects.

■

Dry Mouth


It’s a process to plan a funeral

F uneral arranging does nothave to be an onerous task, aslong as the person charged

with dealing with the details is giventhe right guidance from both the pro-fessional, and the family.

The Irish Association of FuneralDirectors (IAFD) can provide compre-hensive advice to both the bereavedand to the professionals who dealwith them. IAFD members can makegetting through the initial period ofdeath and the funeral as easy as pos-sible. Speaking recently, a spokesper-

son for the IAFD described recenttrends in funeral planning, highlight-ing some distinct breaks from tradi-tional practises, along with the con-tinued adherence to other parts ofprocess of dealing with those whohave recently passed on.

• Once a person has died, the funeraldirector should be called straightaway. If a death has occurred sud-denly, or without warning, suchcases have to be reported to thelocal coroner. The coroner willverify the details of the death, to

find out why a person has died –this is standard procedure.

• The funeral director will guide thefamily as much as possible todecide on important matters suchas the preferred church, trans-portation arrangements, and flow-ers. The director will also liaisewith the priest to arrange a dateand time for the service.

• ‘One-movement’ funerals arebecoming more popular. Suchservices do not involve the tradi-tional removal of the body thenight before, but rather the body isbrought directly to the church forthe funeral mass. Such funeralsmay be used if the deceased haslittle family left, for example.

• Another tradition on the wane isthat of removing the deceased tobe waked at home. Still practisedin some families, many peoplenow choose not to bring the bodyback to the home.

• An important cost is that of open-ing the grave, which can only bedone by authorised cemetery per-sonnel. The cost of opening the

grave can be anywhere between250-€1000, depending on whenthe work is done, and if any over-time work (mainly over the week-end) is involved.

• Extra costs can involve the provi-sion of funeral singers, organists,and other services not usually pro-vided as standard.

• The funeral director will not let thefamily be overwhelmed by theamount of detail involved in plan-ning a funeral. With many deci-sions to be made, the director willpresent all information clearly andconcisely. An accurate estimate ofthe cost of the service should alsobe provided, removing the worryof how much the bill will be. ■

The process of planning afuneral can appear to be adifficult task, made all themore daunting by the factthat in most cases, the per-son organising the proceed-ings is often grieving just asmuch as other family mem-bers and loved ones. In suchtimes, the funeral directorbecomes a trusted contact,there to provide help andsupport.

InformationFor more information on how todeal with the practical demands ofdeath, and planning a funeral, visitwww.rip.ie for an excellent guideto procedures, as well as a com-prehensive range of service providerdetails and contact information.

On the island of Ireland,everyone over the age of 66is entitled to a free public

transport pass. The pass is valid onthe vast majority of buses, trains,trams and ferries in both the Repub-lic and the North. Also included inthe scheme is travel to all of Ireland’soffshore islands.

Having opened up the country toits older citizens, the free travel passhas meant that, for many, destina-tions once considered to remote arenow easily accessible. One Dublinfree travel pass owner describedrecently how, when she feels

like it, takes the train from ConnollyStation to Belfast, enjoys a lunch anda spot of shopping in the city, thenreturns to Dublin, having enjoyed alovely day out for no cost!

For overnight stays, most of Ireland’shotels and guesthouses operatereduced tariffs for people over theage of 55. Usually applicable in off-peak periods, such rates can offer

real cost savings. Such deals usuallyinvolve a two-night stay with at leastone evening meal included. Look outfor last-minute bargains in newspa-pers such as the Irish Independent’slisting service.

Travelling further afield is a greatoption. Recent travel surveys sug-gest that the ‘gap year’ enjoyed by somany post-Leaving Certificate stu-dents has now taken off in a big waywith recent retirees. The concept oftravelling the world for explorationand enjoyment was not one that wasgenerally accepted in the past, butthere is absolutely no reason whypeople cannot enjoy their own gap-year-style adventure.

Destinations like Latin America orSouth-East Asia need not be ‘out-of-bounds’. Careful research, and per-haps travelling with an organisedtour group, means that the wondersof Machu Picchu or the beauty ofKoh Samui can be enjoyed just asmuch as younger travellers almosttake such destinations for granted.

InterRail is a fantastic way to experi-ence Europe’s greatest cities. Thisdoes not mean the traveller has to getlumbered with a backpack, however.Different passes and tariffs mean that

times and routes can be chosen tosuit both your interest and yourdesire to take it rather more easy.

A more relaxing alternative is acruise. From a short trip around theMediterranean, to a once-in-a-life-time grand journey on a liner like theQE2, there are many differentoptions to suit all tastes and pockets.No longer the staid affair that theymight have been before, cruises likethose in European or Caribbeanwaters offer ample opportunity toexplore cities and ports wherever theship has stopped. A plethora ofactivities means that a trip can be ashectic or as relaxing as desired.

A favoured destination for Irish peo-ple has always been North America.Inextricable links with both the Unit-ed States and Canada mean that, formany, trips to America can be timesfor family reunion, as well as for aholiday. One major advantage ofgoing to the US this year is the fall ofthe dollar and the rise of the euro.With the euro stretching further thanever before, shopping in New York is areal possibility, with seemingly end-

less amounts of Irish people snappingup bargains in the top stores there.

Winter sun is another cost-effec-tive option. Forgoing the depress-ingly damp climate of an Irish win-ter, many people head for theMediterranean, or further afield tothe Canaries, Azores, Madeira, ornew destination of Cape Verde. Con-sidered off-peak times, the weather,whilst not swelteringly hot, is calmand temperate, with a vastly reducedthreat of rain than back here athome.

■


One of the benefits of being retired is finally having the time to do all the things you saidyou were going to do, but never had the time. Well, it does not always work out like that,but for those who wanted to travel, being older brings distinct advantages.

The following sources can providemore information about the sugges-tions featured in this article.

Free travel pass – www.welfare.ieTrain travel – www.irishrail.ieBus travel – www.buseireann.ieGap year – www.gapyear.comTravel advice – www.lonelyplanet.com,www.saga.co.ukInterRail – www.interrailnet.comNew York shopping –www.ny.com/shopping

Finally have the time to travel


Cyprus: the sunny winter wonderland!It seems the winter season has just

kicked off in Ireland and alreadythe winter blues are starting to

take its toll on many of us. The day-light hours are growing increasinglyshorter, average temperatures aredropping and the wind and raincombination slapping you in the faceon the way to the supermarket makesyou wonder if you are being pun-ished for something.

If this sounds like you, it might betime to treat yourself to a winterbreak! And there is no better placefor cold, restless Islanders to go thanto another, much warmer islandlocated in the heart of the Mediter-ranean. Cyprus, with its sunny win-ter days, geographic wonders, yearround cultural festivals and ancientsites, is top of the list for Island get-aways. In January 2008, Cyprus offi-cially adopts the euro securing itselfas one of the most sought after loca-tions in the years to come. Here are afew more reasons Cyprus is the per-fect cure for the winter blues.ClimateOne of the benefits of being aMediterranean island is plentiful sun-shine year round and Cyprus is noexception. Temperatures during themonths of November/December andMarch/April are approximately 25 –

18 degrees in Cyprus. In January andFebruary, the coldest months, tem-peratures range between 16 – 19degrees at the coastal resorts. It ismuch colder up in the Troodos Moun-tains, where the highest mountain, atnearly 2,000 meters, gets snow. It isquite possible to go skiing the oneday and sit basking in the sun thenext. Late and Early summer, i.e. Mayand October, are also good times tovisit. It is pleasantly hot and idealswimming weather during this time.

Mediterranean cuisineTavernas, restaurants and hotelsabound in Cyprus all offer up French,Italian and "international" menus, butthe real delights are to be found in sam-pling the local cuisine. Meze (ormezedes or mezedakia) for example,are a rich selection of appetizers andsavories and are typically served in upto 20 saucer like dishes. When ordered,a variety of cheeses like halloumi,kaskavalli or feta are bound to arrivealongside fresh tomatoes, olives, celery,sliced artichokes or smoked ham. Hou-mous a savory dip made from groundchick peas, olive oil and garlic will belikely on the menu as well. Fresh fishand sea food such as octopus, squid andshrimps also abound., succulent Anddon’t forget to sample the Moussaka,

made from minced lamb or beef andherbs covered with layers of slicedpotatoes, eggplant and zucchini.

Cultural sitesOne of the island’s “must sees” are thecolorful and intricate Roman mosaicsto be found in Paphos. Discovered byaccident in the 1960's, the mosaicsgive a clue to the wealthy and opu-

lent lives of some of the RomanPaphiots. Further excavation haverevealed a number of Roman housesall with spectacular mosaics, depict-ing scenes from ancient mythology

Outdoor activitiesThis is an attractive time of year for peo-ple who love physical activity and forthose who love to travel around on foot. It

is a perfect time to explore walking trailsaround the villages and Akamas Peninsu-la. There are many walking trails of vari-ous grades and there is something foreveryone, whether it’s an easy flat walk ora steep climb. Sporting events throughoutearly 2008 and up to May include Inter-national Marathons, Triathlons andCycling competitions. Other regionalsporting events include golf, volleyball,and motor rallying, whilst scuba diving,sailing and of course sunbathing can beenjoyed year round as well.

FestivalsThe New Year brings with it the Carni-val season. Cypriots are zealous when itcomes to festivals and it all starts onEpiphany Day in early January, one ofthe most important religious celebra-tions of the year. Following a Mass inthe Cathedral of each town, is a proces-sion to throw a wooden cross into thesea in a ceremonial baptism. Once thisis done, young men dive into the watersto retrieve the cross and return it to thepriest. Community celebrations follow.A month later, there is a ten-day carni-val to mark the fifty days before Easter.In this ten-day frenzy a diet of copiousamounts of meat and cheese is preva-lent, and many parades and fancydress balls take place each day. ■


Naturally Nordic

One such destination is Nor-way. Actually closer thanyou would think, Norway is

accessible directly from Dublin Air-port, and is a year-round destinationfor those who want a truly Nordicexperience.

Although Norway’s population ofjust over 4.6 million people comparesto that of Ireland, its vast expanse,stretching from the town of Kris-tiansand in the south, up through thebreath-taking fjords, right up toTromsø in the far north near the Arc-tic Circle, and beyond to the tradi-tional home of the Sámi people.

A fantastic way of discovering theunimaginable natural beauty of Nor-way is to see it from the comfort of acruise liner. A typical cruise involvesa short flight to Norway, beforeboarding a liner to see spectacularscenery, exploring the fjords andmountains for which Norway isrenowned – make sure your cruiseincludes Sognefjord, the world’s

longest and deepest fjord. Recreat-ing the Viking spirit (without havingto do your own rowing!), cruisesdock in picturesque ports such asBergen, Trondheim and Kirkenes.One sight that nobody wants to missis the Aurora Borealis - the NorthernLights. This spectacular natural lightshow is a highlight of any trip toNorway, and should definitely beexperienced at least once in yourlifetime.

Oslo, Norway's capital, representsthe very best urban spaces that sitcomfortably with the surround natu-ral beauty. Often referred to as 'theworld's biggest village', Oslo is easyto get around: buses, trams, anunderground, and ferries are allavailable. For those who prefer theirown two feet, Oslo is a dream city -all the sights are within easy walkingdistance.

For nature lovers, Norway really isan essential destination. With acomprehensive travel network, the

country’s most spectacular sites arewell within easy reach.

Almost all Norwegians can speakEnglish, so there will never be anylanguage barriers. Whilst it is truethat prices are high compared toother European countries, Norwaystill compares with Ireland in termsof the cost of many items, especiallyfood.

Whether you are in search of the Mid-night Sun, looking for a Nordicadventure, or just want to visit some-where different – Norway is a coun-try just waiting to be explored! ■

Whilst many holidays for older people concentrate firmly on chasing that ever-elusivewinter sun, a growing interest in expanding one's horizons means that alternativedestinations - not necessarily those with the best climate, either - are now becomingincreasingly popular.

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THIS IS AN INDEPENDENT PULL OUT SUPPLEMENT ...doc.mediaplanet.com/all_projects/1562.pdfSENIOR YEARS – A TITLE FROM MEDIAPLANET Currently 11% of the population is aged over-65. The