Ruth Marks

2008-2012

Ruth Marks was the first Older People’s Commissioner for Wales – in fact the first Older People’s Commissioner in the world – and took up post in 2008.

Having established the Commissioner’s Office, Ruth’s work focused on a range of key issues for older people, including dignity and respect in hospitals, protecting older people from abuse, and ensuring older people could make their voices heard.

Key Publications 2008-2012

Strategic Plan 2010-13

Dignified Care? Report

Dignified Care: One Year On

Dignified Care: Two Years On

Sarah Rochira

2012-2018

The second Older People’s Commissioner for Wales was Sarah Rochira, who took up post in 2012.

Engagement with older people was a key focus of Sarah’s work, and she met and spoke with thousands of older people throughout Wales while she was in post to guide her work and priorities as Commissioner.

Sarah’s review into the experiences of older people living in care homes was the biggest of its kind ever undertaken in Wales, and her recommendations led to a range of action and improvements.

Sarah also established the Ageing Well in Wales Programme, and delivered a range of research and reports relating to older people’s rights, GP services and wider community services, people’s experiences of living with dementia, and access to respite services.

Key Publications 2012-2018

Framework for Action

Voice, Choice and Control (Advocacy Review)

A Place to Call Home? (Care Home Review)

GP Services in Wales

Dementia: More than just memory loss

Rethinking Respite

The Importance and Impact of Community Services within Wales

Effective Engagement with Local Authorities: Toolkit for Older People

Best Practice Guidance for Engagement and Consultation with Older People on Changes to Community Services in Wales

Making Rights Real for Older People: A Guide for Public Authorities in Wales

Helena Herklots, Older People's Commissioner for Wales

Heléna Herklots CBE

2018-2024

Heléna Herklots CBE was the third Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, taking up post in August 2018 and leading the organisation during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In addition to dealing with the significant issues this raised and being a strong voice for older people throughout, Heléna’s work was focused on four key priority areas:

Protecting and promoting older people’s rights
Ending ageism and age discrimination
Stopping the abuse of older people
Enabling everyone to age well

Heléna also published a wide range of information guides, to inform and empower older people about key topics, including recognising ageism, accessing non-digital services, and rights in care homes.