READ MORE- New Census for Older Irish Launched
Irish pensioners living in the New York area are benefiting from a new program designed to ensure that none of them fall through the cracks.
The Gallagher Initiative is aiming to evaluate the whereabouts and needs of the elderly Irish in New York City.
The new program began in October and is expected to last up to six months. Organizers are focusing on the Irish Americans in Queens and they are hopeful they will extend the initiative to all five boroughs in the future.
The research project was established after Tony Gallagher, a carpenter who immigrated in 1970, died alone in his apartment in Sunnyside in Queens. His death went unnoticed for a week before his body was discovered by firefighters who were called by the building’s superintendent.
It sparked disbelief among the Irish American community and prompted calls for the new initiative.
A team of researchers are working under the guidance of Elaine Walsh, a social workers and professor of urban affairs at Hunter College.
The team plan to interview at least four hundred people made up of first-, second-, and third-generation Irish over the age of 54 about their living arrangements, social networks, daily routines, hobbies and health.
Researchers have began visiting the elderly at their homes as well as community centers such as New York Irish Center, in Long Island City, Queens.
The questions will “identify for us how the Irish elderly are now coping, what their current needs are and what their needs could be in the future,” Dr. Walsh told the New York Times.
The survey will target only a fraction of the elderly Irish population in Queens but researchers plan to use the data to create outreach programs and neighborhood based communication networks.
The main aim of the program is to ensure that nobody falls through the cracks of society.
The program is being supported by the fund for the Advancement of Social Services, and has acquired $25,000 from the office of Christine C. Quinn, the City Council speaker, and an additional $200,000 from the office of Senator Charles E. Schumer. Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform leader Ciaran Staunton was heavily involved in securing the funding.
Recently many Irish immigrants gathered for the free weekly luncheon at the New York Irish Center in Long Island City, in Queens. Many told the New York Times that they planned to participate in the survey but some expressed concern that they initiative would not be able to reach out to those who really needed help.
“My feeling is that it’s not going to be successful,” said Kenneth Natton, who immigrated from Co. Longford in 1964. A retired Verizon installer, he lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn with his wife Eilish.
“As the saying goes, ‘They’re preaching to the converted,” he added.
A retired airline employee, 72-year-old Joe Flannery pointed out that many elderly people do not have many social outlets, which is a “sad state of affairs” he reflected.
“A lot of people who come here, this is — believe me — their only outing for the week,” he said.
In a similar attempt to reach out to elderly Irish Americans in New York, last year a hot line for elderly expatriates living alone was established.
The initiative was organized by the Irish Government in conjunction with city officials ad Irish community centers.
However the help line received few calls and was shut down operations recently. The Irish consulate is in the process of hiring a coordinator to revamp the service.
Irish immigrants at the recent weekly luncheon spoke about the importance of getting out of the house and staying active.
Miss Clifford left Ireland in 1957 said she makes a point of getting out of the house. As well as attending the weekly luncheons, she enjoys playing cards during the week.
“I use a cane, and I’m all dilapidated, but I get around,” she joked.
“You’ve got to hang in there, or otherwise you’ve got to lie down and die, “ she added.
7 Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.topsela | Dec 29, 2010, 05:25 AM EST
( w ww ) . ( sales-nfljerseys) . ( c om / ) $20 jerseys NFL ,MLB ,NBA jerseys $18, NHL jerseys $32 (Gift free) Dear Friend: We can supply all kind jersey with good quality and low price. contact me, let's talk details. Delivery time: 5-6days, Shipping Method: EMS Newest stock list: every 3-5days updated Warm Regards, Carolyn === ( w ww ) . ( sales-nfljerseys) . ( c om / ) ===
topsela | Dec 29, 2010, 05:22 AM EST
== ( w ww ) . ( topfashion-girl) . ( c om / ) == 50%off ca,ed hardy t-shirt$15 jeans,coach handbag$33,air max90,dunk,polo t-shirt$13,,lacoste t-shirt $13 air jordan for sale,l nba jersy for sale sale,$35,nfl nba jersy for sale and so on.. if you like to order anything you like. More details, please just browse our website Quality is our Dignity; Service is our Lift. enjoy yourself. thank you!! = ( w ww ) . ( topfashion-girl) . ( c om / ) ===
topsela | Dec 29, 2010, 05:19 AM EST
I think its a great program, they don't have it for American seniors, they just have senior centers. You also have to be careful here, they want to know if the senior has a house and how much money they have and if they can get it they will, especially if she has no husband or no children. There is a law here now that when a mother or father or husband or wife die the state gets a death tax, 35 % of the dead persons assets so be careful of that one, the senior centers here also are working for the Gov. not the senior. I went through all of this with my Mom and when I had to put her in a home because she had alzhiemers , even though she left her house to me, they took it and her social security check to pay for the nursing home, 6,000 month. I am not saying it will definately happen but they try to talk them into a reverse mortgage, this way when they die , even if there is equity still left in the house , no one gets it except the Gov. if she outlives the money they put her in a home, This is like a police state lately. Some one from Ireland should keep an eye out for all of this. When my Mothers money was gone she suddenly got a staph infection and died. 2 or 3 generations here,they are Americans, the minute they get their citizenship papers they are considered Americas, rightly so but they are subject to the same underhanded dealings that other Americans are subjected to, this is not a senior friendly country, its scary.
Madeleine | Dec 28, 2010, 06:50 PM EST
I think its a great program, they don't have it for American seniors, they just have senior centers. You also have to be careful here, they want to know if the senior has a house and how much money they have and if they can get it they will, especially if she has no husband or no children. There is a law here now that when a mother or father or husband or wife die the state gets a death tax, 35 % of the dead persons assets so be careful of that one, the senior centers here also are working for the Gov. not the senior. I went through all of this with my Mom and when I had to put her in a home because she had alzhiemers , even though she left her house to me, they took it and her social security check to pay for the nursing home, 6,000 month. I am not saying it will definately happen but they try to talk them into a reverse mortgage, this way when they die , even if there is equity still left in the house , no one gets it except the Gov. if she outlives the money they put her in a home, This is like a police state lately. Some one from Ireland should keep an eye out for all of this. When my Mothers money was gone she suddenly got a staph infection and died. 2 or 3 generations here,they are Americans, the minute they get their citizenship papers they are considered Americas, rightly so but they are subject to the same underhanded dealings that other Americans are subjected to, this is not a senior friendly country, its scary.
beachline | Dec 28, 2010, 11:56 AM EST
I think it is a very good program, but why only New York city?? There are many Irish pensioners living in other parts of the US that do not have an active Irish community or club for socialization. Here in Florida we are blessed with good weather and general "senior" centers but none are specifically Irish.
STUMPTOWN | Dec 28, 2010, 10:04 AM EST
I bet if they made a trip to the area and found out all from medical costs as well as all other cost and conditions, they be better off in Ireland. There are areas in the E.U. to check out also not only for conditions and cost but warmer weather. Time waits for no one so whats the rush for change?
antoman | Dec 28, 2010, 08:55 AM EST
Commendable programme.I recall seeing here how the elderly were taught how to use the internet by students allowing them to communicate with distant family and friends and see them via the webcam.Perhaps something similiar can be done over there.