A major population shift towards towns and cities means as many as one-third of people in some rural areas are now aged 65 or older, a leading expert on care for older people said yesterday.
Prof Eamon O'Shea, director of the recently established Irish Centre for Gerontology at NUI Galway, warned that such demographic changes pose major challenges for the State in meeting the needs of an ageing rural community.
Overall, it is projected that the number of people aged over 65 will increase from one in 10 to one in four by 2050.
The centre will examine the economic and social aspects of Ireland's ageing population across areas such as sociology, law, nursing and medicine. It will also have a specific focus on the needs of older people in rural communities, the economics of ageing and technology and ageing.
"We are on the cusp of major demographic change and we will be a vital resource in assisting policy-makers plan and make provision for our ageing population," Prof O'Shea said.
"The formation of measures to improve and enhance the participation of older people in economic, social and civic life has not been heretofore properly addressed in research in Ireland."
He said older people had regularly been portrayed as drawing on public resources, rather than as net contributors to society.
"We will seek to inform and influence attitudes to and expectations of older people, as well as exploring innovative ways to ensure older people play a full part in society," Prof O'Shea said. "Each of us has a role to play in ensuring we include older people in social and community initiatives."
The centre recently co-produced research on the quality of life of older people living at home with a chronic illness or disability. The centre is also working on research across a range of areas such as volunteerism, technology and dementia.
From September this year, the centre will offer Ireland's first diploma in social gerontology.
It is funded through a combination of public and private sources. A significant portion of funding comes from Atlantic Philanthropies, founded by Irish-American Chuck Feeney.
The centre plans to offer research expertise and practical support to public, private and voluntary agencies involved in lobbying for or implementing policy affecting older people.
Among the lobby groups it will work closely with include Age Action Ireland, Age and Opportunity, the Senior Citizen's Parliament and the Federation of Active Retirement Association.