'A county where people of all ages can live well'

Westmeath County Council launched the Westmeath Age Friendly Strategy 2025-2028 on December 1 in Bloomfield House Hotel, reaffirming its commitment to creating a county where people of all ages can live well, feel valued and stay connected.

The strategy brings together key agencies, community and service providers to collaborate on improving the lives of older people in Westmeath. It represents a co-ordinated, cross-sector initiative, led by Westmeath County Council, ensuring a unified and strategic approach to advancing age friendly actions.

Built on consultation with more than 70 community, voluntary and older people’s groups, the strategy aligns with the National Positive Ageing Strategy and the World Health Organizations Global Age Friendly Cities initiative, with a focus on improvements in eight key areas:

Outdoor spaces and buildings;

Transport; Housing;

Respect and social inclusion;

Social participation;

Communication and information;

Civic participation and employment;

Community support and health services.

As Irish people are living longer than ever before, planning for an ageing community has become essential to ensuring Westmeath remains inclusive, vibrant and sustainable.

The Age Friendly Strategy provides a proactive framework to meet the needs of older people in these key areas. By 2031, one in five people in Ireland will be over 65. In Westmeath, 14,369 residents (15% of the population) are aged 65+, which is a 26% increase since 2016.

The strategy is available on the Westmeath County Council’s website at westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/communitydevelopment/agefriendly.

Launching the strategy, cathaoirleach Cllr Aoife Davitt said: “This strategy is about dignity, respect and opportunity. It’s about ensuring ageing is not a barrier, but a stage of life filled with possibility.”