"The HSE and other voluntary groups across Donegal deserve high praise for the fact that a higher percentage of older people are living in the community, in their own homes, in their own place than is the case in other counties." This was stated by Independent MEP Marian Harkin at a Health and Ageing Conference in Letterkenny which was organised by the HSE and the European Parliament office.

She continued: "despite the fact that Donegal has a higher percentage of older people than nationally, there is a much lower percentage in long term residential care - 2.8% in Donegal as opposed to 4.5% at a national level. This means that there are an additional 480 older people being managed at home with appropriate supports than would be the case if the national percentages applied to Donegal.

"This is a very significant achievement and Donegal should be seen as a model of good practice in this area. It is truly remarkable that in the county with the second highest dependency ratio (Leitrim is the highest) and a county that has the highest number of oldest old people. i.e. people over the age of 75, 80 and 85, that Donegal has achieved such high numbers of older people living in their own homes. Donegal can be truly called an age friendly county", Harkin concluded.