Older people’s experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic have strengthened the case for further protection of their rights in law, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy told the Senedd today. As a long-term campaigner for the introduction of an Older People’s Rights Bill, Janet Finch-Saunders MS has called on the Welsh Government to build on the momentum of support witnessed over the past year by introducing a duty on Welsh Ministers to have due regard for the United Nations Principles for Older Persons.
Janet’s latest intervention came as part of a debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal, led by the Member for Vale of Clwyd Gareth Davies MS. By 2035, Wales is set to have a shortfall of 7,000 nursing care beds and 15,000 units of housing for older people. It is also estimated that around 140,000 older people in Wales could be experiencing some form of abuse.
Commenting after the debate, Janet said:
“It is clear from the recent report, Support Services for Older People Experiencing Abuse in Wales, that more action is needed. Indeed, the report itself recommended that the Welsh Government review relevant strategies and policies to ensure that they address the needs of older people.
“Importantly for a constituency like Aberconwy, the report also made clear the need for policy makers, commissioners and service providers to consider how the needs of older people living in rural areas can be met.
“We can help by creating the duty to have due regard to the UN Principal that people should be able to live in environments that are safe. Just imagine the difference it would make if decision makers had to have due regard to the need for older people to have access to adequate health care and housing.
“The UN Principles are helpful but have little meaning for older people in Wales because they lack ownership of them. That is why I am proudly supporting this proposal, put forward by Gareth Davies MS, so that society's most vulnerable are treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve."
ENDS
Photo: by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash
