Opportunities and challenges
Published on 03 November 2010 11:00 AM
Age Cymru publishes recommendations for government
Report highlights tackling disadvantage among Wales' older population
A WELSH CHARITY is today (Wednesday 3 November) launching a landmark report about the key issues affecting the lives of our ageing population.
Age Cymru is publishing the ‘Opportunities and Challenges' report to highlight the government action that is needed to improve the lives of older people.
The report contains a series of recommendations for the Welsh Assembly and UK governments.
Age Cymru Head of Public Affairs and Policy Graeme Francis says:
"This report identifies the problems - and provides answers to those problems, that older people in Wales have told us are facing them on a daily basis.
"Unbelievably, age discrimination is still a reality in modern Wales.
"Services such as health and social care, and products such as insurance and credit are being denied to people because of their age.
"1 in 5 households where someone aged 60 or over lives in Wales is in fuel poverty and it is unacceptable in this day and age that people have to worry about paying their fuel bills.
Graeme Francis concludes:
"It is time for government to grasp the nettle and tackle the issues that our ageing population says need to be put right.
"This report gives an insight into those problems and offers Age Cymru's expert opinion about the government policies that will rectify these issues once and for all."
Helen Mary Jones AM, who is hosting the launch of the report, says:
"I am pleased to support the work of Age Cymru and to have the opportunity to host the launch of this important report.
"This highlights the problems faced by older people in Wales and the ways we might address those problems. Government, both here in Wales and in the UK, should give its recommendations serious consideration".
‘Opportunities and Challenges' is being launched at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on Wednesday 3 November.
ENDS
CONTACT
For all media enquiries, please contact Iwan Rhys Roberts - Communications Officer, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562, 07739 894 923, iwan.roberts@agecymru.org.uk