Mayo County Council Launches ‘Mayo Social’ Initiative to Support Ageing Population
Castlebar: Mayo County Council has launched a new initiative, ‘Mayo Social’, aimed at enhancing the well-being of the county’s ageing population through a more community-centred approach to elder care. Developed in collaboration with the HSE, advocacy groups, and local stakeholders, the initiative seeks to shift the focus from traditional institutional care toward integrated, community-based support systems.
A recent stakeholder meeting in Castlebar brought together key players in the health and social care sectors to discuss the rollout and long-term goals of the project.
Rethinking Elder Care: A Community Model
The initiative explores alternatives to conventional nursing home care by promoting ageing in place and community integration. The model prioritises intergenerational living, accessible housing, and localised services that allow older residents to remain active and socially engaged within their communities.
St. Brendan’s Village in Mulranny has been highlighted as a blueprint for the initiative. The village provides a mix of residential units, health services, and social infrastructure tailored to older adults, all within a vibrant, community-focused environment.
Voices Behind the Vision
Mark Mellett, Chairperson of Sage Advocacy and former Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, emphasised the importance of social well-being and intergenerational connection. “Nursing home care is becoming increasingly institutionalised,” he noted. “Mayo Social’ will challenge that by creating spaces where older people are respected, empowered, and remain connected to family, friends, and neighbours.”
Dr. Anne Coyle, a former HSE planner, stressed that the focus of the project is on enabling older people to live well and independently, rather than simply managing care needs.
Deirdre Waldron, Manager of Castlebar Social Services, pointed out that the number of people over 65 in Mayo is expected to rise significantly over the next 20 years. She said the initiative is timely and essential to preparing for demographic shifts in a sustainable and compassionate way.
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