Free guidebook to support Waterford’s older people

A new free guidebook aimed at helping older people and family carers to learn more about ageing is now available in Waterford city and county.

The Senior Citizen & Family Carer Essential Guidebook 2020 includes comprehensive information on the wide range of supports available to older people and their carers from the State, volunteer groups and the private sector. 

It also contains useful tips and advice on community services, social activity, home safety and security, nutrition, health and general wellbeing.

“Accessing easy-to-understand and accurate information is becoming increasingly difficult in the digital age we are living in. Over the last decade, The Senior Citizen & Family Carer Essential Guidebook has become the most trusted and comprehensive ageing resource for older people, family carers as well as healthcare professionals”, said Steven Tubbritt, General Manager, Home Instead Senior Care Waterford.

“There is a lot of useful information in the guidebook to enable seniors and family carers make better decisions regarding their health and wellbeing. All this helps to improve quality of life and allows older people to remain living at home, which is where they want to be.”

“The guidebook has been designed to help families make informed, confident decisions to help them either now or in the future when they may need access to this information.  We hope it will be of great value to the older people in Waterford’s community.”

“For instance, we know that loneliness and isolation can be a very serious issue for older people, and the effects can be worse during the winter months or in rural areas. But some of the organisations listed in the guidebook work tirelessly to keep seniors socially active in communities all over the country. This can help prevent illness, and ensure we can live independently at home, and allow us to maintain strong links with the community,” Steven added.

The guidebook shares the experience and expertise that the home care company has accumulated over the past 15 years in Ireland and is available in Waterford from Home Instead Senior Care Waterford in the Cleaboy Business Park on the Old Kilmeaden Road, as well as from Ardkeen Quality Food Stores, local libraries, health centres, GPs and pharmacies throughout the city and county.

Val Lambe, General Manager, Ardkeen Quality Food Stores agreed that the guidebook is in an invaluable resource for older people and their families. 

“We are delighted to stock this free guidebook at our Dunmore Road store.  With useful information and practical advice for older people and those caring for them, we feel it will be of benefit to those who need to access the appropriate resources. The guidebook is now available in-store and we hope that our customers will pick up their free copy and gain from it.”