Senior Helpline To Be Launched In NYC

Consul General Niall Burgess said in advance of the launch, "One of the greatest challenges facing the Irish community in the US is the issue of ageing. Many senior people are isolated and have no one to turn to when they are lonely or need advice. 

"The project aims to build the expertise available to address this emerging social issue; foster closer collaboration between Irish centers in the US and centers of best practice in Ireland; empower the older generation of immigrants as a resource to address issues such as lonliness and isolation in the community and reach beyond the existing catchment areas of the main centers to identify and begin addressing needs in the wider Irish community."

The Senior Help Line was launched in Summerhill, Co. Meath in February 1998 by its now patron, President McAleese.

It is modelled on an Italian project and provides opportunities for older people to talk to someone of their own age group for the price of a local call from anywhere in Ireland.

Callers can talk to one of the older volunteers and all calls are taken in the strictest confidence.

With this service callers know there is someone at the other end of the line who cares and who has the time to listen.

Thursday will see the establishment of a Senior Helpline pilot project in New York which will be manned by volunteers from the Aisling Irish Community Center and the Emerald Isle Immigration Center who, as seniors themselves, will provide a voice on the other end of the line enriched with life experience, sensitivity and caring, the callers have the opportunity to express to a sympathetic listener the fears and worry of their lives or just have a chat about life in general.