Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is somewhere to "age in place" for older people who might not be able to manage a three or four-bedroom house or garden but could easily manage a one-bedroom apartment, were it located in the heart of a town. It is an alternative to institutional residential care for older persons and a model that creates a society for all ages. This development is within walking distance, not for an able-bodied individual but for a person with arthritis, bronchitis, angina or similar, of shops, services and public transport. It has on-site intergenerational facilities and emphasises what people can do rather than what they cannot do. It is about wellness rather than illness and 12 years after first being envisaged, McAuley Place, located in the former Mercy convent in the heart of Naas, consists of 53 apartments. I love its website and ask all Members to have a look at it. Indeed, they should all book in because Senator O'Donnell should note rent is only €85 per week with a service charge of €10 per week and tenants pay for their own electricity. It is about living an independent life but as part of a community. It is about being the boss of one's own life, having access to the arts and opportunities for lifelong learning. It is about living where one's age is not an issue. It is about where one is more aware of what one can do as opposed to what one cannot do. Residents have opportunities to volunteer, to make new friends and to maintain old friendships. They have easy access to shops and services and live 130 paces from a bus stop that gives one access to Dublin Airport and, therefore, to the entire world. Living there entails being challenged to go outside one's comfort zone and is about ensuring one can maintain or regain the optimal level of well-being. It is great not to need a car. It is about having enough stress to keep one challenged but taking away that stupid stress of being obliged to manage alone. Incidentally, speaking of stress for a moment, I could talk for hours with Senator O'Donnell on the subject but I have three people who are over 90 and to be honest, it is a stressful situation. As for somewhere like the McAuley centre, I sometimes think it would be great to be able to free up the three-bedroom houses for families. Older people could move in to be safer and in a collective and Senator O'Donnell and I could discuss the property tax and how we access it online to pay it because we have not a clue without help. It is about having choices about what one does every day and having the expectation of the unexpected. It is about being proud of where one lives. While it is not a home, it is home. A wonderful concert will be held there this evening which I would attend, were I not present in the Chamber. A total of 17 musicians have been gathered and everyone in the town of Naas will attend; it is not just for the elder people. One might think that is all very well for older able-bodied people but I ask the Minister of State to visit that centre with the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar. It is a piece of low-hanging fruit in that with planning and not too much cost, villages like that could be built throughout Ireland and the Minister of State and I could book in for later on. Believe it or not, this evening's debate is about planning for our future.

However, what about those who must enter nursing homes? Again, I have one such person who is in a nursing home. Luckily, my own experience is wonderful and I cannot express my admiration and awe for the carers I have encountered. However, Members must envisage nursing homes that provide much more than a television set on a wall. Nursing homes are needed that have sensory rooms and a screen showing lovely movies from the years when the guests themselves were young, to allow them to reminisce. Nursing homes are needed in which animal lovers are able to pet a lovely carefree dog. As Senator O'Donnell is aware, I adore dogs and bring two dogs into the nursing home every Saturday and for old people with serious dementia in particular, my blessed dogs give pleasure. The dogs do not care what age one is or what one looks like. They will sit on people's laps and stare at them adoringly. It is amazing what a care dog can do. Young actors, there are enough of them around, could read aloud to residents and teenagers should come in to perform classical dance. Personal instructors should come in to teach chair yoga, that is, gentle exercises and meditation.In some nursing homes, daytime television is the order of the day but daytime television is a way to disimprove one's mental health.

I have so much to say but my final word will be on practicalities. Only 50% of us have wills.