A lifeline for elderly Irish immigrants

Many immigrant communities should have outreach programs helping their elderly residents. It is not only the Irish people who have this problem - - Donna Poisl

By James F. Smith, Globe Staff

A few years back, after two elderly Irish immigrants died alone in their homes on the South Shore and the bodies weren't discovered for days, the Irish Pastoral Centre in Quincy resolved to prevent it from happening again. The center launched an outreach program to confront the isolation that can afflict the aged when spouses die and neighbors move away.

The elderly program now draws more than 400 Irish-born seniors into weekly and monthly activities in Quincy, Canton, and Brighton, keeping people involved and connected.

President Mary McAleese of Ireland, speaking yesterday at a brunch in Dorchester honoring the outreach program, said the work is especially valuable for the Irish diaspora.
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