The Third Age National Advocacy Programme (TANAP)

Beginnings

The Third Age National Advocacy Programme, (TANAP) was originally  launched in 2008  by the HSE as an Advocacy Programme for Older People in Residential Care in response to recommendations made by the Forum on Services for Older People.  This Forum was set up following an Enquiry into revelations of abuse of older people in Leas Cross Nursing Home in North Dublin.   The Enquiry  revealed that morale in the nursing home was very low and that many residents felt voiceless.

In response the HSE set up a programme to train independent volunteer advocates to work in a number of nursing homes in Ireland. Volunteers were trained, and following a positive response from many private nursing homes, volunteer advocates began to work in a number throughout Ireland. All volunteer advocates have received induction and ongoing training, they are supported by an Advocacy Development Officer and have Garda clearance.

Currently just under 5% of older people over the age of 65 years live in one of the 550 residential homes which includes 430 private homes and 120 public nursing homes.