NEWKD/HSE Community Work Department “Reconnecting Day”
On Thursday, 10th of October, 2024, NEWKD’s Home Visitation Service Steering Group in conjunction with the HSE Community Work Department (CHN 1), hosted a Reconnecting with Services for Older Persons Day in The Listowel Arms Hotel. This was our 3rd Annual Reconnecting Day.
Ed O’Connor, NEWKD’s Home Visitation Co-Ordinator said “The focus of the Reconnecting Day was to provide an opportunity for people to connect and engage with peers and engage with the host of services that are available in North Kerry”. “The day also allows service providers to connect and build relationships”. A myriad of Research shows that Social Engagement can have a positive impact on the psychological, physical and cognitive health in several ways. Studies have shown that older people who have close connections and relationships not only live longer, but also cope better with health conditions and experience less depression. Days like the Reconnecting Day can often be the first step for many to join a local group, a walking club or volunteer in a local activity.
The theme of this year’s event was “Personal and Home Safety”.
Our speakers on the day were: Trevor Horan and the BASE Gym Team from Listowel Community Centre, Sergeant Michael Quirke from the Garda Crime Prevention Unit, David Toomey Station Officer from Listowel Fire Station give a talk on Fire Safety in the home. Marian O Connor Community Physiotherapist with Cork Kerry Community Healthcare working in Community Health Network 1 who gave a presentation on Falls Prevention. Diarmuid Cronin Community Alert Development Officer with Muintir na Tire spoke about the important issues of Safety and Security.
Over 100 older people were in attendance on the day, we also had over 20 information stands from services for older people in the North Kerry area including: NEWKD’s – Home Maintenance, Home Visitation Service, Senior Alert Service and SICAP. Information Stands were also present from HSE Community Health Network 1, An Garda, Listowel Fire Service, Better Balance Better Bones programme, Kerry Local Link, Meals on Wheels, Integrated Care Plan for Older People (ICPOP), Ard Chúram, Men’s Sheds, Kerry Respite Care and many more.
Ms. Geraldine Kelly from the NEWKD’s Rural Social Scheme said;
‘She was delighted to see so many in attendance and was proud to facilitate the presence of such a range of services for older people in the North Kerry area while providing an equally important social event for older people to connect’. Plans are under way for our next event.
For further Information Contact:
Ed O’Connor,
NEWKD, Aras An Pobal, Deans Lane, Tralee, Co. Kerry, V92 CRW8.
NEWKD, 20 Upper William Street, Listowel, Co. Kerry, V31 TR68.
Email: edoconnor@newkd.ie
Phone: +353 (87) 7794765
Listowel Arms Hotel hosts special ‘Reconnecting with Services’ day | Irish Independent
