Older People’s Commissioner responds to new report highlighting impact of adverse experiences on older people’s health and wellbeing

Older People’s Commissioner responds to new report highlighting impact of adverse experiences on older people’s health and wellbeing

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

“Today’s report from Public Health Wales provides important further evidence of the link between adverse experiences and poorer health outcomes amongst older people.

“It is therefore deeply concerning that over half of the individuals surveyed have faced adverse experiences since turning 60, including different forms of abuse, exclusion from services, loneliness and social isolation, financial struggles and being overwhelmed by caring responsibilities.

“The report also highlights that having one adverse experience increases the likelihood of experiencing another, or multiple others, creating an even greater risk to older people’s health, well-being and quality of life.

“The report’s findings reinforce the need for policy- and decision-makers to recognise the significant impact that adverse experiences have on the quality of life of individuals, as well as the avoidable pressures they create within health and social services, and deliver action to prevent these from occurring wherever possible.

“This will not only support the delivery of the preventative health agenda in Wales, but also, more importantly, will help to ensure older people can live safe, healthy and independent lives.”