Commissioner sets out the action she will take to deliver positive change for older people

Too many older people in Wales face challenges and barriers in many aspects of their daily lives that impact upon their health, well-being and independence and leave them feeling excluded, left behind and unvalued, affecting the opportunities people have to live and age well.

That’s the warning from the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales as she publishes her new Strategy and Work Programme, setting out the action she will take to deliver positive change for older people.

The Commissioner is also calling for more action from public bodies and services to respond to the issues being faced by older people to enable the change and improvements required.

The Commissioner’s Strategy and Work Programme have been shaped by the voices and experiences of older people from across Wales following an extensive programme of face-to-face engagement visits with hundreds of older people since she took up post at the end of 2024, and the findings of her national ‘Have Your Say’ Consultation, which over 400 older people responded to.

The Commissioner is taking forward a wide range of work focused on ensuring older people can access the services, support and information they need, and that they feel safe at home and in their communities, with choice and control over their lives.

The Commissioner’s work will also focus on ensuring that older people are treated fairly and that the significant contribution they make to our lives and communities is recognised.

Key action for the year ahead will include:

• Examining older people’s experiences of social care in Wales
• Reviewing access to dental services
• Improving older people’s access to public transport
• Protecting the rights of older people who are not online so they are not excluded from accessing information, services and everyday activities
• Working with partners to improve community safety
• Improving services and support for older people experiencing abuse, including sexual violence
• Launching new training to help policy-makers and public sector staff better understand the harmful impact of ageism and how this can be challenged
• Improving older people’s access to independent advocacy so they can make their voices heard during difficult periods and times of crisis.
• Working with local authorities to make communities across Wales more age-friendly to support people to live and age well

Alongside this, the Commissioner will scrutinise a wide range of government policy and practice at both a national and local level, influencing decision-making and holding public bodies to account where necessary.

The Commissioner will also continue to provide help and support to older people across Wales through her Advice and Assistance Service, which helps to ensure people’s rights are upheld and empowers older people to challenge poor practice and decisions.

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Rhian Bowen-Davies, said:

“For many older people, growing older in Wales is a positive experience – they can access the information, support and services they need, they feel safe in their homes and communities, are treated fairly and can make their voices heard.

“However, it is important to recognise that too many older people in Wales face a range of challenges and barriers across many aspects of their daily lives, which often have a significant impact on people’s health, well-being and independence. This leaves older people feeling excluded, left-behind and unvalued, affecting their opportunities to live and age well.

“I’d like to thank all of the older people who have spoken with me or responded to my consultation for sharing the issues affecting their lives so openly and honestly, and for highlighting the change and improvements they want and need to see.

“These voices and experiences are at the heart of my Strategy and Work Programme, through which I will be taking forward a range of action that will make a positive and meaningful difference to the lives of older people across Wales.

“But delivering all of the change required is not something I can do alone, which is why I’m also calling on public bodies and services across Wales to take action to respond more effectively to the issues older people are facing.

“Working together in this way, we have opportunities to create a Wales where every older person is valued, included and supported to live with dignity and independence.

By listening, taking action, and driving meaningful change, we can build a society where growing older is something to be celebrated – a Wales that leads the way for older people.”