Have your say and help shape the future of social care in Wales

The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales wants to hear from older people about their experiences of receiving help and support from social care services, to learn more about what’s working well and where improvements are needed.

The Commissioner will use the evidence shared by older people to consider whether the quality of the social care support people are receiving in Wales reflects the standards set out in policy and legislation, which appears not always to be the case based on the issues and concerns raised by older people.

The Commissioner will publish a report in 2026 that sets out her findings, together with recommendations for action to address any issues she identifies.

Social care encompasses a wide range of services and forms of support, which can include help with everyday tasks such as preparing meals or getting washed and dressed to enable people to live independently at home; support in a residential setting, such as a care home; or community-based services such as day centres.

Older people who have used any of these kinds of services can share their experiences with the Commissioner by filling in a short questionnaire, which can be completed online or over the phone. Paper copies are also available, which can be returned to the Commissioner’s office via freepost. The survey is also open to family members or friends who may wish to complete it on behalf of an older person.

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

“Social care plays a crucial role in the lives of many older people across Wales, offering vital support to enable people to live safely and independently, and have the best possible quality of life.

“And in Wales we have in place a range of legislation, policies, regulations and standards designed to ensure that social care is focused on people’s individual needs and is delivered to the highest standards.

“But the issues relating to social care raised with me by older people at engagement events and via my Advice and Assistance Service suggest that this is not always the case, with people experiencing care that falls short of the quality they should expect.

“That is why I want to examine these issues in more detail, using the voices of older people as my evidence base, to identify the difficulties people are facing and identify the action needed to address these.

“So I am urging older people who use social care services, as well as their family and friends, to get in touch with my office and complete a short survey to share their experiences.

“Alongside hearing about the issues people are facing, I am also keen to hear about what is working well so I can highlight good practice that is making a positive difference to older people’s lives.

“I will publish my findings in 2026, together with recommendations for action by local authorities and other public bodies to address any issues identified and deliver the change and improvements older people want and need to see.

“I am looking forward to working with older people and key organisations across Wales to drive meaningful change and help create a social care system that empowers older people to live well, age well and stay connected, while ensuring that older people are treated with the dignity and respect that everyone has a right to.”

ENDS