Growing Older in Wales conference
Published on 21 March 2011 02:00 PM
Wales's first ever conference on tackling society's attitude to age and ageing is taking place later this week.
The Growing Older in Wales programme from Age Cymru is holding the event in Wrexham in North Wales on 23 March.
Growing Older in Wales Programme Manager Dr Ceri Cryer says:
"The population of Wales is ageing - 1 in 4 Welsh adults are aged 65 or over, and in 20 years' time 1 in 3 Welsh adults will be aged 65 or over.
"Clearly we need to adapt to the needs of our ageing population and tackling ageism and age discrimination is an important part of this process.
"Growing Older in Wales is Wales' only dedicated educational programme on awareness of age-related issues and older people's equality.
"This conference will be looking at how age discrimination crops up in day-to-day life in areas such as the NHS, social care and the factors that contribute to age discrimination in society."
Speakers at the event will include Monica Dennis from the A Dignified Revolution campaign group who will run a workshop on the rights of older people when receiving health and social care.
Says Monica Dennis:
"A Dignified Revolution challenges unacceptable attitudes and inappropriate care for older people.
"Dignity and respect for older people is vital, especially in hospital and other care settings when poor health can leave people feeling vulnerable.
"Over-65s currently account for 60 per cent of hospital admissions and 70 per cent of bed days in general hospitals.
"This is why it is particularly important that wider society is better educated about older people's needs."
Other speakers will include Martyn Jones, Age Cymru's Equalities Policy Advisor; Norma Glass MBE and Councillor Andrew Hinchcliff who is the Chair of the Age Cymru Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender network.
Dr Ceri Cryer; Lindsey Dyer from the Mersey Care NHS Trust and Pam Luckock from the NHS Wales Centre for Equality and Human Rights will be running workshops at the conference.
The conference is called ‘Advancing equality and diversity issues in later life'.