With autumn upon us our thoughts turn to trying something new, like learning a craft, following up a hobby or gaining a qualification we have always wanted. The “young at heart” provide a wide range of activities and hobbies to suit everybody. Learn to knit or croquet, art, computers for beginners, Tai – Chi, exercise which is beneficial for mind and body, indoor bowling, and social dancing. To date over 200 older people have availed of the free computer classes which are sponsored by the VEC, and the classes in the Douglas community school are sponsored by An Post.
Our group meet every Tuesday in the Douglas library. I believe all people especially older people need to have social contact and be part of a social network, “belonging and being involved” attention needs to be paid in particular to those that live alone or are house bound etc. This is the main reason why we will have the “care – ring Douglas” available for the people who could benefit from this friendly phone service. For more information on this service give me a call on 4363867.
I believe strongly that participating in physical, social, and cultural activities is required to ensure that older people remain active and healthy members of society who are capable of making an ongoing contribution to the life of the communities. People require access to a wide range of opportunities and supports in order to do this. The need to recognise and support the rich potential and contribution of older people is a core message in the principle of self fulfilment and making a contribution is vital to self fulfilment, personal identity and self worth.
For me “positive aging week” is being treated with respect regardless of your age, seeing more positive images of older people in the media, and fewer negative ones. Being able to enjoy your age and doing things at your own pace. Listen to older people, “the desire to have a laugh does not diminish with age”.
On the 1st of October which is international day of older people come along to the library at 11 AM and test your skills by taking part in “Nintendo Wii lympics”, it promises to be a fun morning. You can also see the display of knitting from our members on the day.
We wish a very happy birthday to a lovely lady Mrs Coughlan of Clifton Grange who is celebrating her 92nd birthday.
Phil Goodman
