Age Cymru backs care home report

Age Cymru is supporting the Older People's Commissioner for Wales's call for more action to support vulnerable older people in care homes in Wales.

Her new report - ‘A Place to Call Home?' highlights the importance of quality of life as essential to combating poor and bad practice, with many experiencing undignified care and lack of support.

We are calling for urgent change in the care home sector following this report, as  Victoria Lloyd, our Director of Influencing and Programme Development says;

"This report highlights some shocking examples of older people not being treated with basic dignity - this is always unacceptable and such poor practice must be challenged wherever it occurs.

"Care homes should be a safe place for older people to live a healthy, happy and dignified life whilst receiving quality care.

"We believe that the low levels of training currently required to work in Welsh care homes must be addressed.

"It is essential that this is urgently addressed and all staff are trained in the care of older people, including dementia, dignity, and human rights.

"People in care homes must also have access to essential health treatments and services such as GPs and dentists, and to advocacy, which can help to prevent discrimination and neglect.

"We would like to see more action taken to ensure that quality of life is at the heart of residential and nursing care within Wales."