News
The effects of ageing on our bodies
By Brian Foley from Activate Fitness
Over the next couple of weeks we’re going to look at the effects of ageing on our bodies and what we can do to negate some of the impacts of father time.
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The reasons for this are many;
No matter what age you are reading this article, you are, right now, at this very moment, getting older. Therefore ensuring our current lifestyle enables a long and fulfilled life right throughout our lives into our senior years is important. Ireland has one of the oldest populations in Europe. Activate runs an extremely successful older adult strength programme. Due to its efficacy and widespread acclaim amongst the medical community, this has become the subject of a piece of research taking place this summer at Activate.
This week we will look at arthritis and the current interventions that you can take to lessen the impact this can have on you as you age.
Arthritis isn’t a scary thing; it’s a normal part of ageing that happens to all of us like wrinkles.
The simple definition of arthritis is inflammation and stiffness of joints. However, there are many different forms with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid the most common types in Ireland.
Osteoarthritis initially affects the smooth cartilage lining of the joint which makes movement more difficult than usual, leading to pain and stiffness. Once the cartilage lining starts to roughen and thin out, the tendons and ligaments have to work harder. This can cause swelling and the formation of bony spurs called osteophytes. Severe loss of cartilage can lead to bone rubbing on bone, altering the shape of the joint and forcing the bones out of their normal position.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune system targets affected joints, which leads to pain and swelling.
The outer covering (synovium) of the joint is the first place affected. This can then spread across the joint, leading to further swelling and a change in the joint's shape. This may cause the bone and cartilage to break down. The good news is; inflammation can be reduced, so too can joint stiffness. Not always, but oftentimes there are some lifestyle modifications that can help.
Yes, this can and typically does get worse with age but it also gets worse with inactivity.
And no, this is not a death sentence.
REDUCE SYMPTOMS
Here are some healthy lifestyle modifications that can help reduce the symptoms of arthritis, inflammation, and joint pain:
1. Applying the basics of a healthy diet that is high in protein, fruits, and vegetables, and lower in processed foods and sugar.
2. Get seven to eight hours of quality sleep each night. I’m more of a six to seven hour guy myself, but the main thing isn’t the time spent in bed it’s the quality of your sleep. Your body recovers from the rigors of life when you sleep, so more high-quality sleep will typically help with recovery and inflammation.
3. Limit alcohol intake. This one is tricky because there may be some research on a glass of red wine having some heart health and anti-inflammatory properties but alcohol undoubtedly affects your sleep and most importantly your body’s ability to get deep sleep. I admittedly need to look into the latest research on the benefits of red wine so if you enjoy a glass, don’t stop drinking it just yet, but you definitely don’t need a bottle a night!
4. Work on strength and range of motion around the joints and lifestyle factors. At Activate we run a specific programme for adults who want to focus on these factors specifically. We use progressive and intelligent means of training to load the muscles and bones to build new muscle so that we are stronger and more resilient to the stresses of life, and to build bone so that we can withstand things like trips and falls all the while, improving all our major health markers such as reduced body fat levels and improved cardiovascular strength.
If you’d like to talk to see if I can help with your specific situation please set up a consultation via www.activate.ie/free-intro/ or call 087 4030894.
There is a reason Killarney is so tidy
By Eamonn Fitzgerald
Killarney won the overall national award as Ireland’s Tidiest town in 2011 and, since then, has consistently won gold medals and several category titles. In 2023, Killarney was Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town.
The 2024 overall winner was Ballincollig on 386 marks, followed by Killarney on 384. We need a two-pointer, so let’s all pull together for that orange flag, as the judges are on the circuit for the 2026 awards.
Winning an All-Ireland title takes a lot of planning, commitment, dedication, and continuous work. That was needed to win the Sam Maguire in 2025. Now the race is on for Sam’s return. Killarney would also cherish winning the overall Tidiest Town in Ireland.
It is a huge challenge for Killarney with so many visitors swelling the resident population of 14,351. Recently, there was Bike Fest, two big games at Fitzgerald Stadium- the Munster football final, with an attendance of close to 33,000, and the Donegal game, which attracted over 22,000. If even 50 % of the people dropped one piece of litter, a wrapping, paper coffee cup, or plastic water bottle, the accumulated litter would be enormous. It is my custom to walk around Killarney, especially on the morning after a big event, but by 10.00 am on Monday mornings, the town is spic and span. All litter disappeared overnight. Magic?
No. Noel O’Leary had his Killarney Town Council staff working from dawn, complemented by Mick Gleeson’s volunteers from Killarney Looking Good. Such cooperation between the statutory body and volunteers is very rare indeed. We should not take it for granted but appreciate this cooperative effort to maintain Killarney as the Town we love so well, just like Phil Coulter appreciates his native Derry. Let us all row in, bring home your own litter or use the bins provided, and if you see a stray piece of litter, put it in the nearest bin. Teams win All-Irelands, not individuals. Let’s all do our bit: it will make a difference. Ní neart go cur le chéile.
HIQA registration delays opening of new hospital
Confusion surrounds the opening date of the new 130-bed Killarney Community Nursing Unit, with a Dáil debate revealing that a previous end-of-June opening target is now dependent on resolving outstanding registration issues with the health watchdog, HIQA.
Speaking in the Dáil this week, Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae criticised the ongoing delays, stating that Kerry TDs were assured by local HSE management on May 29 that the facility would open before the end of June. However, county councillors at a HSE SouthWest Forum were informed a week later that this target would not be met.
“Who is calling the shots? Is it the HSE at national level? Is it the Minister?” Deputy Healy-Rae asked. “The lights have been on in the building since before Christmas and it was cleared to go. We are begging for this on our knees.”
He highlighted that the delay impacts 30 planned dementia-specific beds, as well as broader plans for a minor injuries unit and a primary care centre at the St Columbanus’s site.
Responding on behalf of the government, Deputy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor maintained that the HSE still expects the unit to open before the end of June, but confirmed the timeline depends entirely on HIQA registration.
“The HSE is engaging with HIQA regarding a small number of outstanding issues,” she said. “Once HIQA registration is granted, the HSE will set a date and move forward with the transfer of residents.”
Deputy Healy-Rae countered that the response was identical to information provided by the government a month ago. He questioned why staffing agreements and HIQA certifications were not finalised sooner, given the building was structurally completed last December.
INMO serves notice of industrial action
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has served notice of industrial action on HSE South West over proposed staffing levels at the new facility.
The union stated that its members are deeply dissatisfied with the proposed rosters, which they claim fall short of the staffing required to deliver safe care on day and night duties.
INMO Industrial Relations Executive Kathryn Courtney said there is a significant staffing gap compared to similar facilities, leaving members with no choice but to take action.
There is a reason Killarney is so tidy
There is a reason Killarney is so tidy By Eamonn Fitzgerald Killarney won the overall national award as Ireland’s Tidiest...
HIQA registration delays opening of new hospital
HIQA registration delays opening of new hospital Confusion surrounds the opening date of the new 130-bed Killarney Community Nursing Unit,...
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