A major conference aimed at helping different professionals advocate for improved services and rights for older people, is to be held in October.

The Sage National Conference will include a number of high-profile speakers, such as the Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, the European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly and the chairperson of the Citizens Information Board, Ita Mangan.

Topics set to be discussed include the importance of advocacy, elder abuse and long-term care options.

Sage is a support and advocacy service for older people who may experience challenges in their lives as a result of ageing. These challenges include everything from problems with activities of daily living, such as dressing and bathing, to more complex issues, such as family conflicts or moving between different care settings.

Sage is part of Third Ireland, which is a national voluntary organisation ‘celebrating the third age in life, when people may no longer be in paid employment, but can remain healthy, fulfilled and contribute to society'.

According to Sage, this conference will be of interest to anyone supporting or advocating for older people.

"It is for staff providing services for older people who see themselves as playing a role in advocating on their behalf, as well as those who are independent advocates on individual or systemic issues.

"Health and social care professionals and voluntary and community groups and NGOs concerned with the rights of older people will find it of benefit, as will people responsible for complaints and investigations in health and social care services and social policy researchers," it noted.

Meanwhile, the conference will also see the formal launch of the Quality Standards for Support & Advocacy Work with Older People, which have been developed following extensive stakeholder and public consultation.

The conference will be held on October 16 from 10am to 4.30pm in the Croke Park Conference Centre in Dublin. If you would like to attend, click here