Since first consulting with older people across the county about what would make Carlow a better place to grow older in a lot has happened i.e.
• A strong and vibrant Carlow Older Persons Forum with over 400 members has formed with the support of Carlow County Development Partnership.
• A large number of agencies who work with older adults have come together as the Service Providers Forum – including Carlow County Council, HSE, Family Carers Ireland, Gardai, Education & Training Board, Family Resource Centres, Day Centres / Nursing Homes, Carlow/ Kilkenny Contact and others. They have supported a range of projects involving joint working such as the Memory Matters programme – a 2 year initiative to help older people with dementia to be supported to live in their homes for longer rather than residential care.
• Carlow Town received the Age Friendly Town Recognition Award in 2015
• A Musical Memories Choir has been established in Sacred Heart Hospital and a beautiful Reminiscence Garden developed, supported by Friends of Sacred Heart Hospital and the Health Service Executive.
• A number of Age Friendly Car park spaces have been installed, specifically for older adults at key locations such as the Post Office, Supervalu supermarket etc.
More physical activities are organised for older adults through County Carlow Local Sports Partnership.
• The 4 libraries across the county are fully accessible now and offer a wide range of services, courses and activities such as digital literacy, genealogy, creative writing, personal development etc.
• The countywide Care and Repair Service delivered by Carlow County Development Partnership has expanded and provides minor repairs and works from trustworthy maintenance people free of charge. They also provide a weekly contact call service.
• Launching the first Age Friendly Parking Space in Ireland, Kennedy Ave, Carlow.
• The rural bus services have been mapped across the county
• Carlow Tourism has published an Age Friendly Restaurant Guide for the county and delivered training for businesses about how to make their premises more age friendly.
The work of devising this second Carlow Age Friendly Strategy involved consulting again with older people and those who work with them across the county in terms of the 8 themes identified by the World Health Organisation :-
1. Outdoor spaces, physical environment and buildings
2. Transportation
3. Housing
4. Respect and social inclusion
5. Social participation
6. Communication and information
7. Civic participation and employment
8. Community supports and health services.

This new 5 year Strategy outlines short, medium and long term actions by stakeholders, building on what has been achieved to date, with greater emphasis on joint working. Almost 150 specific actions have been identified in this strategy to be implemented by all the partners, in relation to the 8 areas outlined above.