Since lockdown, we have all been getting used to a new way of working, socialising and living – much of which has created barriers and caused a feeling of uncertainty for many older people across Wales.
The experiences shared by you and others at our online engagement events have helped us to understand the reality of life during the lockdown as an older person in Wales. We have learned about the difficulties older people have faced and the things that haven’t been working well, as well as the outstanding work going on in communities across the country to support older people. The thoughts and views shared on what a future Wales could look like, and what should be done to make Wales a nation of age-friendly communities, were particularly helpful as we begin to look towards the future.
The attached report has been shaped and guided by those contributions, by older people’s voices and experiences. The report sets out the ways in which Covid-19 has affected older people in Wales, and includes a number of calls for action that needs to be taken immediately and in the longer term to ensure that older people are not left behind as Wales begins its recovery. These actions are focussed around 5 core themes:
- Social care and health services
- The economy and older people
- Stopping the abuse of older people
- Strengthening our communities
- Improving communication and inclusion
We will be holding an online discussion and debate on ‘Leaving No-One Behind’ on the International Day of Older Persons, Thursday 1st October 10 am – 12 noon. Please hold the date and we will send further details to you
We hope that you will see how your contribution has shaped the content of the report and I’d like to thank you for sharing your experiences with me and my team.
Supporting Document
For more information on this campaign, please see the Leave no-one behind – Action for an age-friendly recovery download on the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales website.
