THE OLDER People’s Commissioner for Wales travelled to Flintshire on 18 June to hear from the local 50+ Action Group about the issues affecting older people’s lives, and their work to support older people, before joining older people and staff at Marleyfield House Care Home to highlight the work she has undertaken to support people living in care homes.
Flintshire’s 50+ Action Group meets monthly to address the concerns, issues and challenges, of people aged 50 and over, and is dedicated to championing the rights of older people and ensuring decision-makers understand their needs.
During her visit, the Commissioner heard from the group about their work to support and represent local older people, as well as the key local issues that are impacting older people in Flintshire, which include the difficulties many people face when trying to get a GP appointment and the complexity of the Blue Badge application process.
She also spoke with the group about the action she had taken during her six years as Commissioner, highlighting the progress made in making Wales a place where older people are valued, rights are upheld, and no-one is left behind.
Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Heléna Herklots CBE said: “It was a pleasure to be back in north Wales to meet with the members of Flintshire’s 50+ Action Group and discuss the issues that affect their lives.
“It is important for older people to have a say in changes that affect them, and I’m pleased to see that the action group is working hard to ensure older people’s voices are heard and the changes they want to see are implemented.”
Following her meeting with the 50+ Action Group, the Commissioner travelled to Marleyfield House Care Home in Buckley to speak to older people and staff, and hear about the issues that matter to them. The Commissioner also took the opportunity to highlight the work she has undertaken to support older people in care homes, including her guide to rights.1
The Commissioner added: “I also enjoyed meeting with older people and staff at Marleyfield House to highlight the work I have undertaken to improve the lives of people living in care homes, including my rights guide.
“Upholding people’s rights is a vital part of delivering high-quality care, and I will continue to help older people and their families to better understand the rights people have when moving into or living in a care home in Wales.”