Moving unnecessarily into care homes

Commenting on reports over the weekend that the Older People's Commissioner for Wales said she believed that some older people are moving unnecessarily into care homes, Age Cymru's Head of Policy and Public Affairs Graeme Francis says:

"All older people must have access to health and care services which maintain and promote their independence and wellbeing.

"This is particularly true in the case of older people leaving hospital who may be emotionally and physically vulnerable.

"The Welsh Government and local authorities should work together to ensure that all older people across Wales have access to high quality independent information, advice and advocacy services which can help them and their families to make important decisions over their care needs.

"Age Cymru would like to see all older people who are being discharged from hospital having access to a six week ‘reablement' period back in the community.

"This would allow individuals to make an informed decision about whether or not they want to move into a care home or remain living in their own home."