The Kilkenny Older Peoples Council, working as an active member of the Kilkenny/Carlow Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) Coalition, has completed a major project aimed at reducing the challenges older people face when navigating complex application forms.
With increasing reliance on online systems and multi‑section documents, many older people have reported significant difficulties in completing essential applications. One form identified as particularly challenging is the Housing Adaptation, Mobility Aids, and Housing Aid for Older People Grant Application issued through Kilkenny County Council.
Recognising these challenges, the Kilkenny Age Friendly Programme Manager facilitated collaboration between the Kilkenny County Council Housing Department and a dedicated subgroup of the ALL Coalition. The goal was to explore how the application process could be made more accessible for older people.
Although the group established that the national application form itself cannot be amended, the collaborative review highlighted an opportunity to develop a user‑friendly guidance document to support applicants in completing the form with greater ease and confidence.
Drawing on insights from Housing Department staff and the Healthy Homes Co‑ordinator, both of whom have extensive experience assisting older applicants, the subgroup identified key barriers older people encounter, including locating necessary information and navigating multiple sections within a single form.
To address these challenges, the new guidance document introduces:
- Colour‑coding, with distinct colours assigned to each of the three grant types included in the form.
- Icons and symbols indicating where personal information can be found (for example, using an image of a PPS card to show where to locate a PPS number).
- Clear step‑by‑step support to reduce stress, confusion, and delays in completing the application.
This practical and accessible guidance will now be issued to all applicants and is expected to make the process significantly less daunting for older people, enabling them to complete the form more independently and in a timely manner.
The project would not have been possible without the strong collaboration between the Kilkenny County Council Housing Department, the Healthy Homes Co‑ordinator, and members of the ALL Coalition. Their combined expertise ensured that the lived experiences of older people, many of whom have struggled with the form in the past, were central to the redesign effort.
In addition to supporting older applicants, the guidance document will also assist staff across the Carers Association, Disability Services, Healthy Homes Programme, and other partner organisations who regularly help individuals with the application process.
The Kilkenny Older Peoples Council extends sincere thanks to all members of the ALL-Coalition Subgroup, including representatives from:
Kilkenny Carers Association, Adult Learning Network, Disability Services, Ossory Youth, Kilkenny/Carlow ETB, Kilkenny/Carlow Transition Year Coordinator, and the dedicated staff of Kilkenny County Council Housing Department and the Healthy Homes Co‑ordinator.
