Former Rose Rachel wants to bridge gap between younger and older generations
AGM of Westmeath Age Friendly Programme and Older Persons Council
Concern about the decline in social connections and accessibility that older adults face was expressed by Westmeath’s new age-friendly ambassador, the 2022 International Rose of Tralee winner, Rachel Duffy, at the AGM of the Westmeath Age Friendly Programme and Older Persons Council.
Citing the post-Covid legacy of isolation and loneliness that she witnessed in her own older relatives – and that she feared had probably similarly affected many older people – Rachel expressed the hope that she can help bridge the gap between her generation and older generations to promote an age-friendly environment.
Rachel, who stated it was a great honour to have been asked to be the county’s age-friendly ambassador, said that her main objective in her role as Rose of Tralee had always been about trying to use the platform to give back in any way she could.
She said, as Rose of Tralee, it is expected that one acts a certain way and looks a certain way and ‘conforms’ in order to fulfil the role: “But for me, that was never going to work, because of my integrity and my values or my ‘why?’ when it comes to doing anything. So I committed myself to fulfilling duties that truly reflected my own personal experience and values.”
She said it was important to her that any cause to which she was to devote herself had to be something that made her heart soar.
“A first on my list of priorities has always been Westmeath and its people, and I have to say being approached to be the ambassador of something as no longer ‘the Rose of Tralee’ but just straight up as Rachel is a total honour,” she stated.
“While my Rose of Tralee experience is very special to me, it’s also extremely important to me to continue my legacy of giving back by standing on my own two feet.”
Rachel said some might wonder what she, as a 25-year-old, would know about the struggles and issues facing the older population. To that, she would start by telling them about two of the most important people in her life, her Nana and Grandad, her everyday sources of inspiration and strength. Rachel said that when she lost her mother at a young age, her grandparents had never let her see their grief or their pain at the loss of their daughter. “They would always put our happiness first.”
Rachel went on to remark that she had witnessed a decline in her grandparents since Covid. She had watched her grandmother’s withdrawal, her loss of confidence about going to Mass or out for lunch, her not wishing to be a burden on other people.
Rachel said she was concerned that sort of isolation breeds loneliness and wondered how many older people felt the same.
Being appointed age friendly ambassador gave her the voice to ask questions and to ask her own generation what they needed to do to help to restore human connection in a world of technology and disconnection.
“We all get such a short time on this planet. And time is precious, and we each deserve to make every day a great day,” she said.
“I hope that I can make a positive impact in this county; that together we can bridge the gap between generations to promote social inclusion, respect, mental wellbeing and our local services to make this county an age-friendly county for years to come.”
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