In the lead-up to our 2024 Founder’s Day conference on unlocking the potential of later life, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services (SPMHS) was pleased to host an in-person practical skills-building and information session.
This event, which took place on 18 November 2024, was aimed at older adults, and their supporters, who would like to learn more about ways to promote positive mental health in later life and how to access support services. It shared information from various older adult support services about available resources and advocacy for older adults.
Speakers
Talks and discussions included topics such as occupational therapy, brain health, and social connections in later life. Various support organisations and programmes that exist in Ireland for older adults were explored.
You can watch a number of the talks further below.
Speakers at the event included:
- Katie Hennigan and Niamh McGoldrick, Senior Occupational Therapists with the HSE, will present a talk on maximizing your functional potential
- Deborah Costello, Fundraising and Communications Manager from Friends of the Elderly, a volunteer-based charity established to bring friendship and companionship to older people living alone or feeling lonely
- James O’Hagan, LGBTI+ activist with LGBT Ireland, the national support service for LGBTQ+ people in Ireland
- Valerie Cox, journalist and writer.
Valerie Cox, James O’Hagan, and Deborah Costello will also took part in a panel discussion around the topic of the importance of social connections.
Exhibitors at this event, providing more information on services and supports for older adults, included Friends of the Elderly, LGBT Ireland, and Dublin City Libraries.
