New Survey Highlights the Challenges Facing Older People Across West Wales

The latest Age Cymru Annual Survey 2026 highlights the challenges facing people aged 50 and over across Wales, with the cost of living, physical health and caring responsibilities emerging as some of the key concerns.

The survey, which gathered responses from 1,448 people aged 50 and over across all 22 local authorities in Wales, provides valuable insight into the experiences, priorities, and concerns of older people today.  At Age Cymru Dyfed, these findings reflect what we hear every day from older people across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire. Through our services and community work, we see how financial pressures, health concerns, caring responsibilities, and social isolation can affect people’s independence, confidence, and quality of life.

The survey paints a picture of increasing uncertainty for many older people, with concerns about how they will manage in the future. While there are many examples of resilience and community support, the findings highlight the importance of ensuring older people have access to the right support, advice, and services when they need them.

The rising impact of the cost of living

The cost of living remains a significant concern for older people. 52% of respondents said they had struggled with the cost of living over the past year, increasing from 46% in 2025 and representing the highest figure recorded since Age Cymru’s annual survey began in 2020. More than a third (35%) of older people said they had made changes to their lives to manage rising costs. Of those, 52% were using less energy or heating, more than one third had reduced their food spending and 30% said they were socialising less.

These pressures can have a wider impact on wellbeing, affecting people’s ability to stay warm, eat well and remain connected with their communities.

Health and access to support

Physical health was the most reported challenge in the survey, with 53% of older people identifying it as an issue over the past year.  Accessing healthcare remains a concern, with half of respondents saying it was difficult or very difficult to make a GP appointment.  The survey also highlighted challenges around social care. 16% of older people said they had tried to access social care support in the last year, with 46% saying it was difficult or very difficult to get the help they needed.

Recognising the experiences of unpaid carers

The survey also highlights the vital role of unpaid carers within our communities. 29% of older people said they currently look after someone or provide unpaid help to at least one person, and more than half (57%) said caring was a challenge.

Of those unpaid carers who responded, 63% were women and 77% were aged 65 or over. More than half (54%) said they were providing more care than they were the previous year.

Carers were also more likely than those without caring responsibilities to report challenges with their own physical and mental health, accessing prescriptions, food and essential items, and maintaining relationships with family and friends.

At Age Cymru Dyfed, we recognise the essential contribution made by unpaid carers and the importance of ensuring they have access to information, advice and support.

Supporting older people across West Wales

The findings from the Age Cymru Annual Survey reinforce the importance of the work carried out by Age Cymru Dyfed across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. Our teams and volunteers provide a range of services designed to support older people to remain independent, connected and informed, including information and advice, dementia wellbeing support, befriending services, veterans’ support and community activities.

As an independent age-friendly charity, we are committed to ensuring older people across West Wales have the support they need to live with dignity, confidence and choice. The survey highlights the challenges many older people face, but it also demonstrates the importance of communities, connection and support. Together, we can help build a future where older people feel valued, heard and supported.

If you or someone you know could benefit from support, please get in touch with Age Cymru Dyfed to find out how we can help.

You can read the Age Cymru Annual Survey 2026, the accompanying commentary and reports from previous years on the Age Cymru website.