Ten-year strategy to ‘make Wales a good place to grow old’ launched by Welsh Government

Older people’s strategy launched as figures show Wales already has a higher proportion of people of state pension age than any other part of the UK

The Welsh Government has vowed to help older people improve their quality of life and tackle negative stereotypes of ageing as part of the long-running strategy to help pensioners.

Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services Gwenda Thomas unveiled the decade-long older people’s strategy at an event in Cardiff Bay, and said Wales’ ageing population should be “celebrated”.

The strategy – which is intended to run until 2023 amid a doubling of over-85s – will aim to create “full participation” of older people in Wales, develop communities that are “age-friendly” and ensure future generations are equipped for later life, though Wednesday’s announcement did not include specific policies.

The strategy also aims to “improve social, economic and environmental wellbeing” of older people.

Ms Thomas said the blueprint would focus on how public services would respond to an ageing population and the wellbeing of older people, amid a backdrop of shrinking local authority budgets. Wales already has a higher proportion of people of state pension age than any other part of the UK.

The third phase was welcomed by the country’s Older People’s Commissioner, older people’s charities and opposition parties.

The introduction of free bus passes for pensioners, the creation of the Older People’s Commissioner and the establishment of a ministerial advisory group on ageing have all emerged from the strategy since 2003.

Ms Thomas said the strategy aimed to “make Wales a good place to grow old”.

“I want us to celebrate that Wales has an ageing population. This is not a matter of treating everyone the same way,” she said.

“We must look at people and recognise their capabilities and we must challenge the long-established negative perceptions and stereotypes about age and ageing.

“Better preparation increases the chances of living a better later life. Of course people need to be able to make their own decisions, but we have a clear role in government to support people to enable them to meet their aspirations for their future.

“We need to work collectively and embrace opportunities and challenges to deliver our long term commitment to improving the lives of older people in Wales.”

Sarah Rochira, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, said: “The Strategy for Older People has already achieved a huge amount for older people in Wales, including the introduction of the hugely valued bus pass, creating forums in each local authority to ensure that older people have a voice that is heard and establishing the role of Older People’s Commissioner, an independent voice and champion for older people across Wales – the first of its kind in the world.

“Building upon the good work we have already seen for older people in Wales, the latest phase of the strategy will play an essential role in ensuring that older people have a good quality of life wherever they live in Wales and that we meet the needs of all older people, both now and in the future.”

Older people’s charity Age Cymru said it welcomed the blueprint, but said too many older people in Wales faced challenges caused by poverty, loneliness and age discrimination.

Victoria Lloyd, the charity’s director of influencing and programme development, said: “With the population of Wales ageing more rapidly than that of anywhere else in the UK, tackling the issues that blight the lives of older people must be a priority for local and national government.

“The Welsh Government must prioritise tackling poverty among older people, making our communities more ‘age-friendly’ to provide the facilities and services older people need, and bring forward proposals to improve how people pay for social care.”

Darren Millar, shadow minister for older people, said it was “welcome and much-needed”.

He added: “This 10-year action plan has the potential to make a real difference for the lives of older people in Wales and the Welsh Government must ensure that they make good use of it in coming years.”

Lindsay Whittle, Plaid Cymru’s spokesman on older people, said he welcomed the strategy, but warned the Welsh Government needed to introduce a more “rigorous” inspection regime in residential homes and ensure provision of independent advocates.

“On top of this I would like to see greater support for family members or volunteers who are carers, be that through financial support or in respite,” he said.

“Plaid Cymru has long argued the case to bring together health care and social care in order to deliver a more complete care package. By joining up these systems we can deliver more care in the community and keep more people out of hospitals unnecessarily.”