Awareness campaigns work best when they meet people where they are, and that is exactly what happened as the gov.ie-linked public health system brought safeguarding advice into everyday community spaces. In a timely World Elder Abuse Awareness Day initiative, the Health Service Executive (HSE) used local pharmacies in Carlow and Kilkenny to help start vital conversations about dignity, safety and support for older people.
The outreach formed part of a wider South East effort involving pharmacies across Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and South Tipperary. By setting up information and drop-in stands, the Health Service Executive (HSE) Adult Safeguarding Team made it easier for older people, family members, carers and neighbours to access guidance if they were concerned about possible abuse, neglect or inadequate care.
Why the Health Service Executive (HSE) pharmacy outreach matters
The campaign carried a simple but important message: every older person has the right to live free from abuse. That includes physical, emotional, financial and psychological abuse, as well as neglect or coercive behaviour. Holding these conversations in pharmacies is especially significant because they are trusted, familiar places used regularly by older people and carers.
At visits to Corless Pharmacy on Dublin Road in Carlow and Boots on High Street in Kilkenny, safeguarding staff shared practical information on what signs to watch for and where to turn for help. According to the local HSE safeguarding team, the aim was to bring support directly into the community rather than expecting vulnerable people to navigate services alone.
- It raises awareness in a non-clinical setting
- It encourages early reporting of concerns
- It helps families understand available support pathways
- It reinforces that safeguarding is a community responsibility
For people navigating public services, this type of initiative reflects the broader role of agencies across Health, Social Protection and Justice in protecting vulnerable adults.
How safeguarding support works in practice
The Health Service Executive (HSE) Adult Safeguarding Team supports adults who may be at risk of abuse and works with communities to improve awareness. In this case, the local South East team encouraged anyone worried about an older person to make contact and seek advice. Even when someone is unsure whether a situation amounts to abuse, an early conversation can help prevent harm from escalating.
This kind of frontline public engagement often complements the wider work of bodies such as Citizens Information Board, Tusla, HIQA and the Data Protection Commission (DPC), depending on the circumstances involved. While the Revenue Commissioners and Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) are not directly tied to elder safeguarding in this case, they are part of the wider network of state institutions that support rights, accountability and public welfare.
Possible warning signs people should not ignore
- Sudden withdrawal, fearfulness or unusual anxiety
- Unexplained injuries or poor physical condition
- Missing money, unusual spending or financial pressure
- Neglect of medication, hygiene or nutrition
- Isolation from family, friends or community supports
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Local pharmacies as trusted points of contact
Using local pharmacies as outreach partners is a practical and thoughtful move. Pharmacies are often one of the few places people visit regularly, making them ideal for informal but meaningful engagement. In communities across the South East, this approach can help identify concerns earlier and reduce the silence that often surrounds mistreatment of older people.
It also shows how public-facing services can collaborate effectively. Similar community-based partnerships can strengthen awareness efforts across areas such as Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Education, and Rural and Community Development, particularly where older people may be isolated.
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What to do if you are worried about an older person
If you are concerned that an older person may be experiencing abuse, mistreatment or neglect, the key message from the Health Service Executive (HSE) is not to stay silent. Advice and support are available, and raising a concern does not require certainty. It starts with speaking to the appropriate safeguarding service and asking for guidance.
The local South East Safeguarding Team has urged people to contact its Freephone line on 0818 101 101 for information or support. Awareness campaigns like this one are a reminder that safeguarding is not only a service issue but a shared social responsibility.
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In the end, the Health Service Executive (HSE) outreach in Carlow and Kilkenny is a strong example of prevention through visibility. By bringing safeguarding information into pharmacies and everyday public spaces, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has reinforced an essential message: older people deserve safety, dignity and support, and communities should know how to respond when something feels wrong.
