Transforming the lives of older people in Wales will be the focus on an all-Wales symposium led by the Church in Wales this week.
From quality of care to media stereotypes and to the challenges of modern technology, the concerns of older people will be discussed at the two-day event to identify what needs fixing and how.
Representatives from 20 statutory and voluntary organisations across Wales working with older people will take part in the partnership symposium which will be led by the bishops. The Church aims to inspire a more joined-up approach to improving life for older people in Wales.
The guest speakers include: Rob Merchant, co-chair of the Centre for Faith Science and Values, University of Gloucestershire; Alison Ward, chief executive of Torfaen County Council; Mike Ponton, senior fellow, Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care; Wendy Bourton, chair of the National Partnership Forum; and Angela Roberts, director of Crossroads Care Wales.
The Archbishop said Wales needed to recognise the vulnerability of older people and to value them more.
He said, “We need to be a society which actively cares for and respects those who are most vulnerable. Providing services for older people is a real challenge, not just because of limited finance, but because of the variety and complexity of need.
“There are some extraordinary cases of the way older people themselves are an inspiration to many and contribute much to the life of local communities and beyond. There are many wonderful stories of staff in health, social services, nursing and residential care homes providing the best possible quality of support and care. However, there are far too many stories of where all of this is going wrong, leading to low morale amongst professionals and agencies, as well as frustration and disappointment for older people themselves.
“This symposium seeks to identify not only the vulnerability of older people, but the vulnerability of the staff in those care services. As a result of this, we will make our own suggestions for how both situations might be improved in the future.”
Titled, Transforming the lives of older people in Wales: challenges and opportunities, the symposium will take place on Wednesday and Thursday (November 24-25).
This symposium is part of a series of all-Wales symposia led by the Church in partnership with other organisations in Wales. Previous ones focussed on transforming education and performance; communities and anti-social behaviour; and leadership.
