11th January 2012 - Older people’s issues to come under the spotlight at the Senedd

11th January 2012

Older people’s issues to come under the spotlight at the Senedd

“Government policies must respond to ageing population”, say charity chiefs

Good health, access to training and independence for older people are expected to be some of the subjects under the spotlight at the Senedd today (Wednesday 11 January).

Age Alliance Wales is bringing over 60 older people from across Wales to Cardiff Bay to talk to their Assembly Members about the issues that matter to them.

Sarah Rochira, Age Alliance Wales’s Chair and Chief Executive of RNIB Cymru says:

“Age Alliance Wales is a coalition of national organisations that works together, with and for older people across the country.

“With Wales’ ageing population – which is ageing more rapidly than that of the rest of the UK, it is vital that Welsh Government policies reflect and effectively meet the needs of older people. We have much in Wales to be proud of but also much that we urgently need to address.

“Creating opportunities for older people to influence government is an important part of the process

“This is why we’ve organised today’s event to give older people the chance to tell their Assembly Members about the realities of being an older person in Wales today.”

Chris Jones, Age Alliance member and managing director of Care & Repair Cymru said: “We know from 25 years experience of helping older people repair and adapt their homes that a warm, safe and secure home significantly contributes to a person’s health and wellbeing. Helping older people remain safely in their own home for as long as possible not only helps save money for both the NHS and social care budgets, but it is what older people tell us they want. We hope that hearing directly from older people about what services work and what can be improved, will help AMs when they are developing future policies which will impact on our ageing population.”

Mr and Mrs Jones from Newport will also be attending the event. They both have major physical disabilities and health issues. Newport Care & Repair have worked with this couple since 2007 and have completed major adaptation works under a Disabled Facilities Grant including a level access shower, curved stair lift and ambulant steps to the front access of the property.

Mrs Jones (82) said: “I would like to thanks Newport Care & Repair for their sensitive approach to my practical needs; their friendly and helpful advice has given me renewed confidence – I feel 10 years younger! Games – Olympics – bring them on! Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.”

The Age Alliance Wales event is taking place at the Senedd at 12 – 1.30pm.

ENDS

CONTACT

For all media enquiries, please contact Rachel Lewis on 029 2043 1554, Rachel.lewis@agealliancewales.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITOR:

 

•  Age Alliance Wales (AAW) was set up in 2003 and is funded by the Welsh Government. It is a powerful alliance of 20 national voluntary organisations committed to working together to develop the legislative, policy and resource frameworks that will improve the lives of older people in Wales.

 

• Collectively AAW member organisations possess extensive service development and service delivery knowledge in a range of policy areas. All organisations also act at a strategic as well as an operational level and many are membership based.

 

• The following organisations are members of Age Alliance Wales: Abbeyfield Cymru; Age Cymru; Alzheimer’s Society Wales; Care & Repair Cymru; Carers Wales; Contact the Elderly; Crossroads Wales; Cruse Cymru; Deafblind Cymru; Disability Wales; Independent Age; NIACE Dysgu Cymru; PRIME Cymru; RNIB Cymru; Action on Hearing Loss Cymru; CSV-RSVP Wales; The Stroke Association Wales; University of the Third Age in Wales; WRVS;

Age Alliance Wales aims to:

• represent the concerns and further the interests of older people in Wales to policy makers, strategic planners, and funders,
• maximise the ability of each member organisation to fulfil their role of promoting the well being of older people, and
• work with, and for older people through the co-operative use of the knowledge and expertise contained within the membership of Age Alliance Wales.

For more information on Age Alliance Wales, visit www.agealliancewales.org.uk