The national age friendly convention took place in Athlone last week.
The key focus of this year's convention was the need to put in place a unified vulnerable persons register to help local authorities, emergency responders and community partners to respond more effectively to weather events like storm Eowyn.
Brian McDermott is the vice-chair of the older people's council in Co Cavan.
The local man shared his concerns over the length of time it took to get electricity and water up and running again after Storm Eowyn.
Mr McDermott warned that although the storm was short, older people were left in a state of isolation, loneliness and fear for weeks after.
While Brian appreciates the work that went on to recover much needed services, he believes that it went on for "far too long" and a response like that can "never happen again."
Speaking to Northern Sound, Mr McDermott outlined what older people can do to be better prepared:
