Over the next 20 years the number of older people (50+) is set to rise from 18% to 28% of the population and the number of people over 85 will also increase as people live longer and healthier lives. Local government not only delivers many services specifically to older people but will have to adjust all of its activities to take account of the needs of older people and the effects of an ageing population.
In Wales, local government has been identified as the key agent for change, which has been identified by the Welsh Assembly Government’s unique ten year ”Strategy for Older People in Wales” launched in 2003.
Each local authority has appointed an Older People Champion, ideally a Cabinet Member, who is able to ensure the issues of older people are kept at the forefront of policy and service development. There is also an Strategy for Older People Coordinator in each authority whose role is to develop new approaches to the development of policy and service development in conjunction with other departments and agencies, including, Local Health Boards, NHS Trusts, the local voluntary organisations and with older people. In each area a local action plan is developed which feeds into the local Community Plan and the local Health, Social Care and Well-Being Plan.
For more information contact: David Warren