Irish Association of Older People (IAOP)

The Irish Association of Older People advocates and supports active participation of older people in social, economic, cultural and spiritual life at local, national and European level.

The Association acts as a conduit and bridge builder between service providers and service users, voicing the needs and aspirations of older people, acknowledging the political, economic and social constraints that operate within the democratic process and developing the capacity to participate in an informed and constructive way in fora in which members "learn by doing".

The Association seeks to influence the design and delivery of services, which facilitate independent living and offer life style choices through participation in statutory and Voluntary Partnerships.

We avail of the expertise, life experience, time and energy of our members. Our Association networks with like-minded organisations, updates itself/the membership on research and best practice and participates in international, European and national projects relating to the Older Citizen Agenda.

The Association's members serve as informal advocates and links between Information Agencies and services; as informal carers, as volunteers in service provision programmes and as activists within local community programmes for older people.

The Association's overall objective is to support the development of and participation in civil society of older people in a spirit of solidarity and with particular concern for the needs of the frail and vulnerable.