WIREDGOV

The Welsh Assembly Government has published a state of the nation report on the well-being of older people in Wales.

The Older People’s Wellbeing Monitor for Wales is a milestone research report that will guide the future work of the Welsh Assembly Government and its partners in planning for the demographic changes in society.

This is the first Wellbeing Monitor of older people in the UK and links into an international agenda as it follows the values of the United Nations Principles for Older People. This will set a benchmark with the Monitor updated every three years.

The Monitor is a report that brings together all the relevant robust research written on older people in Wales and will help to steer future policy and pinpoint evidence gaps for further study. The focus is on five broad aims of well-being which are derived from the UN Principles and the Assembly Government Strategy for Older People and these will provide the mechanism to track progress over time. They are:

• Dignity and social inclusion
• Material wellbeing
• Participation
• Health and care
• Self- fulfilment and active ageing  

Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, said:

“I am delighted to have delivered this key note research report as the Welsh Assembly Government is committed to valuing the lives of the older generation. This Monitor will provide invaluable information and guidance to steer future policy priorities and research projects for both the Assembly Government and its partners for the benefit of society as a whole.

“Older People are a significant and growing sector of the population and it is essential that we have accurate information on the needs of the older person so that we can significantly address these issues.

“This report has implications across all Assembly Government policy areas and my colleagues and I will be studying these findings thoroughly and any areas of concern will be looked into and addressed.”

Ruth Marks, Older Peoples Commissioner for Wales, commented: “

I welcome this really valuable report.  It supports what older people tell me they are most concerned about.  
“We must recognise the great contribution older people make to life in Wales.  This is the 21st century and attitudes and expectations are changing - we must understand that reality and think long-term when we make decisions and this report will help us to do just that.

“The information we receive from older people underpins my work. This report gives me further evidence about the areas where we all need to work together to improve services.  It will help people to plan services for today and for the future when our ageing population will have increased and changing demands.  This type of research needs to be regularly repeated to check whether older people are experiencing a positive difference in their lives.”

Wendy Bourton OBE, Chair of National Partnership Forum, said:

"I welcome the Monitor as it enables us to look at the wellbeing of older people and appreciate the diversity of issues relating to ageing in Wales.  Most importantly, it enables us to hear the voices of older people and better understand their lives."

Explaining the importance of the Monitor in the development of policy for older people, Dr Sue Lambert, Co-Director Older People and Ageing Research and Development Network (OPAN) said:

"The Older People’s Wellbeing Monitor is an excellent, comprehensive resource for researchers in Wales and beyond. It provides vital background information on the circumstances of older people in Wales. Researchers will use it to inform research studies and reports into the quality of life and the experiences of older people living in Wales.”

Related Links

Older People’s Wellbeing Monitor for Wales 2009

The 2009 monitor focuses on the wellbeing of older people aged 50 and over in Wales, with a view to providing a holistic picture of their lives.