An independent voice and champion for older people across Wales

The role of the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales is to be an independent champion for older people across Wales. To make sure that those who are vulnerable and at risk are kept safe and to make sure that all older people have a voice that is heard, that they have choice and control, that they don’t feel isolated or discriminated against and that they receive the support and services they need. We want Wales to be good place to grow older, not just for some but for everyone, and our work is driven by what older people say matters to them. 

The Older People’s Commissioner:

■	Promotes awareness of the rights and interests of older people in Wales.
■	Challenges discrimination against older people in Wales.
■	Encourages best practice in the treatment of older people in Wales.
■	Reviews the law affecting the interests of older people in Wales.

 

The Commissioner stands up and speaks out on behalf of older people across Wales.

There is much that we can and should celebrate about growing older in Wales. Older people have a wealth of knowledge and experience and are the backbone of our nation and our communities.

However, for too many older people, growing older is simply not what it should be. Too many older people live in poverty and have to choose whether to heat or eat, too many older people are the victims of abuse, too many feel isolated, vulnerable, lonely and afraid, and don't have the information they need to make important decisions about their lives. 

It is the Commissioner's job to make sure that the issues that matter most to older people are being addressed. The Commissioner and her team do this through working in partnership with a wide range of bodies, through developing good practice, but also through reviewing, scrutinising, challenging and where appropriate, laying down standards that we expect to be met. 

Our older people are our mums, our dads, our grandparents, our friends, our families, our loved ones, one day we will all, including our children, be older. We work to make sure that Wales is a good place to grow older, not just for some, but for everyone.

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Latest:

• Framework for Action

  

  23.5.13

  The Framework for Action outlines the Commissioner’s priorities and the changes she expects to see for older people, as well as the role she will play in delivering these changes.

• Dementia Awareness Week

  21.5.13

  There is a simple message behind this year’s Dementia Awareness Week – we need to talk about dementia. I couldn’t agree with this more.

• Queen's Speech 2013

  09.5.13

  “I welcome the announcement that the long planned move to a flat rate state pension will be part of the UK Government’s legislative programme this year. In the long term, the new system should reduce complexity and provide a better incentive for people to save for retirement.

• Response to NHS Wales Staff Survey

  07.5.13

  I welcome the publication of the findings from the latest NHS Wales staff survey, the first survey of its kind in five years. Feedback from staff working across the NHS in Wales is vital to drive forward improvements in NHS care and I am pleased that the Health Minister has made a commitment to ensure that the findings are taken seriously and responded to by Health Boards in Wales.