Welsh Government to give older people a voice with Declaration of the Rights of Older People

The Welsh Government is to hold a public consultation on proposals for a Declaration of the Rights of Older People.

The Declaration of the Rights of Older People, a first for Wales if adopted, will clearly highlight and articulate the rights of older people in Wales, as underpinned by existing legislation.

The proposed declaration is the result of a working party chaired by the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales to consider how older people’s rights could be enhanced through a declaration of rights.

Deputy Minister Gwenda Thomas claims human rights and equality, which are enshrined in the Government of Wales Act 2006, “are essential if we are to achieve our ambition to build a fair and inclusive Wales, and communities in which everyone can participate”.

She said: “We must dispel old-fashioned stereotypes of people based on their age, and recognise and value the enormous contributions that older people make in all of our communities across Wales.”

Older People’s Commissioner Sarah Rochira believes that “introducing a Declaration of Rights for Older People in Wales would mark a significant step forward and would provide a clear framework and standard that can be used by older people themselves to ensure that they receive the support and services they need to live fulfilled, independent lives.

“The Declaration will also, for the first time, provide clear expectations to those who are responsible for the development and delivery of public services about how to support and engage effectively with older people across Wales.

“By responding to my call to enhance the rights of older people in this way, the Welsh Government has not only reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the interests of older people, but also its commitment to equality and human rights, issues that matter so much to us all.”

Director of the British Institute of Human Rights, Stephen Bowen, welcomed the proposals and said: “We are pleased that work on the proposals references our long-standing work with older people to help translate the Human Rights Act into a real and relevant tool that can be used as it was intended, to empower people and ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.

“Through our work we see what human rights really mean – stopping older married couples from being split up, helping challenge discriminatory healthcare, and simply giving older people a voice, a sense of worth that we should all enjoy.”

“Once again we see Wales providing a leading light on human rights issues, focusing on making sure that no-one slips through the vital safety net that human rights provides to us all.”

The Commissioner worked with older people from the outset and the proposed declaration is founded on what they told her is important to them.

The proposed declaration would make clear to statutory bodies and service providers what older people’s expectations are and what their rights are when accessing and using services. It will also help older people to understand their rights more effectively and how they relate to current equality and human rights laws in Wales.

The consultation which ends on 15 March 2014 can be found at http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/consultation/?lang=en