Care Choices for Seniors Information Evening proves huge success

Cupcake Heaven, Lamber de Bie and Ardkeen Quality Food Store play Cupid!

Vivienne Walsh of Earlscourt on the Dunmore Road was struck by Cupid’s Arrow in the Ardkeen Quality Food Store Valentines Competition.

Vivienne won a “Romeo and Juliet” hamper consisting of a ‘Cupids Tower’ occasion cake made with 100 cupcakes from Cupcake Heaven, a hand-tied Valentines Bouquet from Lamber de Bie and a Jeroboam of Champagne from Ardkeen Stores Off – Licence.

Pictured from left to right are Master Florist Lamber de Bie, winner Vivienne Walsh, Fiona Lonergan of Cupcake Heaven and Carmel Carroll Wine Buyer with Ardkeen Quality Food Store.

Microsoft MD urges Waterford businesses to take their share of opportunities from Cloud computing

Microsoft MD, Paul Rellis, proved to be a big attraction amongst Waterford businesses as almost 100 people attended a business briefing entitled “The Future is the Cloud.”

The event was sponsored by Waterford based HCS Business Solutions and co-hosted with Waterford Chamber of Commerce.

Cloud computing has been prevalent in the news recently as it has the potential to create almost 20,000 new jobs over the next decade in Ireland. The impact report, carried out by Goodbody Economic Consultants for Microsoft Ireland claims that Ireland is perfectly poised to capture "a disproportionately large" share of the global cloud market, which is estimated to be worth around €70bn by 2014.

Paul Rellis said that cloud computing will give huge opportunities to individuals and companies alike. “The power of computing that was once the preserve of large organisations can now be used by every organisation of every size. Cloud computing is a new industry that Ireland can take advantage of very quickly. The technology space changes so rapidly but this is a transformation that will be sustainable over the next couple of decades.”

Mr. Rellis added “If Waterford businesses concentrate on developing competencies in cloud computing, perhaps working with the Waterford Institute of Technology to develop those competencies there is nothing to stop the huge opportunities available in job creation.”

“It is up to the civic authorities, institutes of technologies and so on to try and make a difference here. There is no reason they can’t be more successful in Waterford than in any other part of the country.”

Neil Phelan, Director of HCS Business Solutions, which a certified Microsoft Partner, added the future is undoubtedly cloud computing.

“Technology has moved on so quickly. We moved from mainframe computing in the 70’s, to PC’s in the 80’s, the Internet and .com era of the 90’s and noughties, and now leveraging on the internet era the cloud is set up to take a big leap over the next decade.”

“Although some questions arise around challenges to adopting cloud services security will inevitably be a concern. Just like the internet era consumers and business people were afraid to use their credit cards on-line or do their banking on-line in the early days, now it is the norm. This same pattern will inevitably occur to the use of cloud based services for businesses.”

Mr. Phelan added that most companies and consumers are already using some form of cloud technologies and may not consider themselves as being cloud users. Services such as Online Backup and Remote Email Filtering are cloud based technologies that are being utilised already by many companies.

Seniors urged to stand up and be counted!

With Election 2011 just days away, Age Action Ireland is urging all older people to vote and ensure that their voices are heard.

Age Action, as a charity promotes positive ageing and better policies and services for older people and works with, and on behalf of, older people. As an organisation Age Action is non political and although it has never encouraged its members to vote for one party or candidate over another it has always passionately urged older people to make sure they vote.

People aged over 65 represent 11% of the population, but they account for 17% of the electorate and their views must be taken seriously.

According to Danette Connolly of Home Instead Senior Care, Waterford, “The senior population accounts for a significant proportion of the Irish electorate. It would be folly of the next government to disregard this segment of the population and to not take seriously their election issues and concerns.”

The concerns seniors have a very real and very pressing. Many want the next government to guarantee that the state pension is adequate, they want assurance that they, our most vulnerable, are protected, they want to see the appointment of age advocates and also that suitable policies are produced to meet the needs of our ageing population. With almost 500,000 people aged 65 years or older and this figure set to rise to 812,000 by 2025, this section of the electorate certainly shouldn’t be ignored.”

“The need for regulation of home care is another issue that has received a lot of coverage over the last few months. In fact, on February 9^th the Irish Times published an article which sought the views of several election candidates on home help and home care services. All candidates unequivocally called for the regulation of all home care and home help for seniors.”

Danette added “The spotlight needs to remain focused on senior issues, not just in the run up to polling day, but for the long term. Each party has expressed commitment to enforcing regulation and the imposition of structures to care for our seniors. It’s up to us to keep the pressure on them.”

For further information on Home Instead Senior Care log on to www.homeinstead.ie or call 051 333966.

Waterford Credit Union Open Day

Following an extensive refurbishment at the Parnell Street Branch, Waterford Credit Union proudly displayed its new look!

Jennie Glespen, lending officer, Waterford Credit Union pictured in the Private Lending and Customer Service Area of Waterford Credit Union's newly refurbished Parnell Street branch.

If you or your parent need to make decisions about what care choices are available in Waterford, this evening is not to be missed:

Date: Wednesday, February, 23rd, 2011
Venue: Dooley's Hotel, The Quay, Waterford
Time: 7pm
Topic: Care Choices for Seniors

This event is free and all are welcome to attend.

Care Options Open Evening for seniors at Dooley’s Hotel

On Wednesday, February 23^rd Dooley’s Hotel on the Quay, Waterford will host a free information evening on care options for seniors.

“Care Choices for Seniors” will feature a selection of talks from experts in the areas of senior care and will address topics such as the “Fair Deal” process for Nursing Homes, will advise on choosing home care and provide guidelines for employing a carer.

The initiative is the brainchild of Danette Connolly of Home Instead Senior Care. According to Danette there is a lot of confusion surrounding care options for seniors. “Many seniors and their families are confronted with having to choose some form of care as they get older. Depending on an individual’s health, wellbeing and outlook, there are many different care options to choose from.”

“The purpose of the free open evening is to give seniors and families the information to make an informed decision about the best care options available to them individually.”

“Whether it is being cared for in a nursing home or in their own home we want seniors to know that they should expect the very best professional care and should also know their entitlements and where to turn if in any doubt about best practice.”

Other sector experts on the evening will be Barbara Murphy, Director of Nursing at St. Patrick’s Hospital and Clare Ferguson, MD of HR Outsourcing.

Clare Ferguson of HR Outsourcing added “Figures show that the senior population is growing rapidly in Ireland and there are almost 500,000 people aged 65 years or older. This figure is set to rise as it is estimated that by the year 2025 there will be 812,000 persons aged 65, an increase of 218% over the 2004 figure.”

“We need to be prepared for the future and to have the skills, people and resources in place to care for our ageing population. This open evening is the first step towards empowering seniors when it comes to choosing their future care.”

For further information on the Care Choices for Seniors Open evening at 7pm Wednesday, February 23^rd call Home Instead Senior Care on 051 333966 or email waterford@homeinstead.ie

The evening is free and all are welcome. The Pensioner’s Handbook will also be available free on the evening.

Waterford Companies advised to move to the Cloud!

There is much anticipation ahead of the arrival of Microsoft Ireland’s MD Paul Rellis to Waterford as he is scheduled to address the regions’ businesses about the future of Cloud Computing.

Cloud computing has been prevalent in the news recently as it has the potential to create almost 20,000 new jobs over the next decade in Ireland. The impact report, carried out by Goodbody Economic Consultants for Microsoft Ireland claims that Ireland is perfectly poised to capture "a disproportionately large" share of the global cloud market, which is estimated to be worth around €70bn by 2014.

In a recent interview with the Irish Times Microsoft Ireland MD, Paul Rellis, said "Cloud computing can be the new IFSC, if the incoming Government moves quickly to implement the correct policy requirements to deliver it. Cloud computing will revolutionise technology the way that the Internet did.

"As this global industry is in its infancy, Ireland has a real opportunity to pioneer its adoption to create new jobs, new businesses and enhance our competitiveness while attracting foreign direct investment and creating new export markets."

Tom Murran, President of Waterford Chamber of Commerce, welcomed this report and the impact cloud computing will have on the local economy. “Any technological advances that will create jobs and garner foreign direct investment for Waterford are to be welcomed.”

Mr. Murran added “The Microsoft report highlights that the need for the cloud is now and we are delighted that Microsoft Ireland’s Managing Director will give us an inside view on how businesses in Waterford can adopt and adapt to changing technology and go forward to be more progressive and competitive on the international stage.”

Waterford based companies that have already adopted Cloud Technology include TMH Solutions, Reflexite, and notably GlaxoSmithKline in Dungarvan, which has made a strategic worldwide decision to migrate email and collaboration services to the cloud.

According to Neil Phelan of HCS Business Solutions most companies and consumers are already using some form of cloud technologies and may not consider themselves as been cloud users. Services such as Online Backup and Remote Email Filtering are cloud based technologies that HCS customers have benefited for the past number of years where they receive a high quality reliable service at a fixed annual fee per user.

“The Future is the Cloud” briefing will take place in the Tower Hotel on Wednesday, February 16^th. For further information or to book your place call Sheila Quinn at Waterford Chamber of Commerce on 051 872639 or email sheila.quinn@waterfordchamber.ie

“If food be the music of love, Ardkeen Quality Food Store plays on”

Ardkeen Quality Food Store on the Dunmore Road has been struck by Cupid’s arrow and has love in mind this Valentines Day. By teaming up with Cupcake Heaven, Lamber de Bie and Ardkeen’s in store off-licence, one lucky winner could be enjoying a “Romeo and Juliet” hamper consisting of a ‘Cupids Tower’ occasion cake made with 100 cupcakes, a hand-tied Valentines Bouquet and a Jeroboam of Champagne!

Carmel Carroll, Ardkeen’s resident wine buyer felt there was no alternative to champagne for such a romantic occasion. According to Carmel, “Champagne is described as having 'Heart' and Valentine’s Day is all about the heart!”

“We’ve all heard of a Magnum but a Jeroboam is the next size up, holding 3 litres of Champagne - more than enough to celebrate in style.”

Dutch Master Florist Lamber de Bie who is well known for his bespoke wedding arrangements is providing his signature exquisite hand tied Valentines Bouquet – guaranteed to help love blossom this Valentines Day!

Finally, included in this love struck Valentine’s package is a nine-tiered 100 cupcake “Cupid’s Tower”, designed and produced by Cupcake Heaven. The cake will be supplied for any special occasion, but according to proprietor Fiona Lonergan a wedding would be the icing on the cake!

Fiona added “As part of this romantic promotion Cupcake Heaven will supply a bespoke cake for any occasion. However as love is in the air, we hope the lucky winner will be ordering a wedding cake from us.”

Ardkeen Quality Food Store’s Valentine’s promotion takes place in store until February 14^th. To enter just pick up an entry form at the Ardkeen Off Licence, Lamber de Bie Florist or from the Cupcake Heaven stand, drop into the Valentines Box at Customer Service counter and maybe you could be struck by Cupid’s Arrow.

For further information check out www.ardkeen.com or call into Ardkeen Quality Food Store on the Dunmore Road, Waterford.