Wales issue ‘declaration of rights’ for older people

Wales has become the first country in the world to adopt a Declaration of the Rights of Older People, which sets out the rights of older people in Wales.

The Declaration is designed to help older people understand their rights more effectively and how they relate to current equality and human rights laws in Wales. It will help those responsible for the development and delivery of public services, by making clear how they can support and engage effectively with older people across Wales.

Last year, the Deputy Minister asked the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales to chair a working group to consider how the lives of older people in Wales could be enhanced through a declaration of rights. The Commissioner worked with older people from the outset and the Declaration is founded on what they told her is important to them.

The Declaration, which has received cross-party support in the National Assembly for Wales, is based on the UN Principles for Older Persons and sets out what older people have said they value and what rights they feel would support and protect them:

•     I have the right to be who I am
•     I have the right to be valued
•     I have free will and the right to make decisions about my life
•     I have the right to decide where I live, how I live and with whom I live
•     I have the right to work, develop, participate and contribute
•     I have a right to safety, security and justice

Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas said: “The publication of a Declaration of Rights for Older People is another world-leading step for Wales in the drive for equality and human rights.

“As a government, we have a proud record of promoting the interests of older people. It’s because of that commitment we are determined to build a fair and inclusive Wales, and communities in which everyone can participate.

“The number of older people in Wales is growing and there is no dedicated set of rights for older people in the UK. Age discrimination and ageism are widely tolerated across the world. We must dispel old-fashioned stereotypes of people based on their age, and recognise and value the enormous contributions that older people make in all of our communities across Wales.

“I’m therefore delighted that Wales is once again leading the way by publishing a Declaration of the Rights of Older People in Wales.”

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira said: “As the independent voice and champion for older people across Wales, I was delighted to Chair the Advisory Group that considered how older people’s rights could be enhanced through a Declaration of Rights. I have worked with older people throughout the development process to ensure that the Declaration is based upon what they have told me matters to them.

“The Declaration will remind our public services about the rights that older people have, illustrating in a practical way what this means on a day-to-day basis for older people and their duties around supporting and engaging effectively with older people across Wales. It also provides a clear framework and standard that can be used by older people themselves to ensure that they receive the support and services they need to live fulfilled independent lives.

“I am delighted that the Welsh Government responded to my call to enhance the rights of older people in this way. This not only reaffirms the commitment we share in Wales to lead the way in promoting the interests of older people, but also our commitment to equality and human rights, issues that matter so much to us all.”

For more visit: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/publications/health/strategies/rights/?lang=en