The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, has published her ‘state of the nation’ report into the views and needs of Wales’ older people calling on all of us to stop thinking of older people as a ‘timebomb’ and instead focus on their contribution and well-being.
In it she details the results of her meetings with more than 6,000 older people all over Wales as part of the ‘Engagement Roadshow’ she established on taking up her post in June 2012.
Ms Rochira said: “When older people have a strong voice, they have greater choice and control over their lives and can ensure that their needs are not ignored when decisions are made, continuing to engage with and shape their communities.
“This is why public services across Wales must get much better at listening to the voices of older people, using their wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience to make sure that Wales gets it right for all older people, not just those in the ‘lucky box’.”
The Older People’s Commissioner’s findings include:
We should recognise the contribution older people make to society – and avoid focusing on older people as a ‘burden’ on society. Older people contribute to society through volunteering, providing care and support to family members and paying taxes, a contribution valued at nearly £1bn a year in Wales.
Older people are also suffering in difficult economic times – yes many benefits for older people are currently protected from cuts, but around a fifth of older people in Wales (more than 120,000) live in poverty and many more struggle to make ends meet on limited and fixed incomes.
Health and social are not the only issues of interest to older people – services such as adult education, leisure, housing, transport, community facilities and support to remain in employment are also important.
Loneliness and isolation is rated as a higher risk to people’s health than smoking – and it is already a growing problem in Wales – for example, we see rising levels of alcohol abuse among older people left alone or isolated. The hidden epidemic of loneliness will have consequences for public health and for older people’s quality of life.
Cutting non-statutory services now will impact on health and social care budgets in the longer term – among the cuts that undermine older people’s ability to get out and about and stay healthy are cuts to transport services and facilities like public toilets.
Support for ageing well and staying healthy is vital – frailty and dependence are not a given, and a little help goes a long way.