Older people in Wales are being let down by too much red tape and not enough joined-up thinking by those responsible for their well-being.
That’s the conclusion of a report launched today by an alliance of leading care professionals brought together by the Archbishop of Wales and the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales.
They are calling for common sense and trust to be brought back into the care system and for older people to be treated with dignity and respect.
The alliance comprises of the Church in Wales, the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales and leaders from the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales (CSSIW), Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), Wales Carers Alliance, The Pension Service and the Care Council for Wales (CCW). It also includes a senior fellow of the Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care.
Their report follows an all-Wales symposium on older people organised by the Church in Wales and the Older People’s Commissioner.
It calls for:
- Co-ordinated care: a “framework of trust” between organisations responsible for the care of older people to ensure that care is co-ordinated and joined-up;
- Guiding principles: Care organisations should adopt core principles that promote older people’s independence and enable them to continue living at home for as long as they wish. These should also recognise their right to choice and information, provide support for their carers, and combat loneliness and isolation.
- Less red tape: we need to move away from a risk-averse culture that hinders care and the opportunity to provide better systems of protection for vulnerable older people whether in their own homes, in residential care or in hospital.
- Welfare review: A recognition of the financial pressures and worries experienced by many older people attempting to live their lives as independently as possible and a simplification of the welfare benefits system that ensures people are not worse off.
- More respect: A change of attitude towards older people by promoting more positive images of their contribution and challenging media stereotypes.
The Archbishop, Dr Barry Morgan, said:
“We want to make Wales a better place in which to grow old.
“Too many older people find it difficult to speak out for themselves when things go wrong with their care and their views aren’t always taken seriously. This is much more than the challenge of cuts. It’s about bringing back professional common sense and trust into managerial systems cluttered with complexity and compliance that might achieve targets, but do not fulfil the principles behind it. Although intended to standardise care these often get in the way of good working relationships and better quality care.
“We are calling for a radical transformation of social care services and new ‘frameworks of trust’ between all those working in different parts of the present system in order to turn policies into better results for local people and for those who care for them.
“The Church in Wales is concerned because we support literally thousands of vulnerable older people in our parishes and are acutely aware of the obstacles they face on a day-to-day basis.”
Ruth Marks, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, said:
“I am pleased that the leaders of relevant bodies have come together in order to discuss what older people have told us are their main concerns. Agreeing to focus on specific issues will contribute to a culture of trust, understanding and common sense.
“Organisations, agencies, people in local communities must work together to improve understanding of older people in their area. We all need to recognise the huge contribution made by older people across Wales, whilst also ensuring that a co-ordinated pattern of help and support is available when needed.”
