{"id":141252,"date":"2026-01-16T20:36:51","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T20:36:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vale50plus.org\/clone\/?p=141252"},"modified":"2026-02-23T21:12:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T21:12:48","slug":"meeting-with-commissioner-for-older-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vale50plus.org\/clone\/meeting-with-commissioner-for-older-people\/","title":{"rendered":"MEETING WITH COMMISSIONER FOR OLDER PEOPLE"},"content":{"rendered":"

We discussed the Commissioner\u2019s latest report \u2013 Space for Everyone? Older people\u2019s perspectives on access to car parking in Wales. The report is based on experiences shared by older people, as well as data provided to the Commissioner by all local authorities, which provides a snapshot of the payment options and systems available in the car parks they run. The report reveals that while most local authority car parks in Wales still offer a range of payment options, including cash in many cases, the perception amongst many older people that this is no longer the case is impacting on their independence, well-being and ability to take part in community life.
\nhttps:\/\/olderpeople.wales\/resource\/space-for-everyone-older-peoples-perspectives-on-access-to-car-parking-in-wales\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Poverty
\nThe report \u2013 Older people and poverty in Wales \u2013 was published recently. It uses older people\u2019s own words, captured through research and engagement, to highlight the realities of poverty in later life, while also drawing on the latest available data and statistics to illustrate why action is needed across a number of areas to prevent the significant harm created by this long-standing issue.\u00a0The report shows that 1 in 6 older people in Wales is now living in poverty, with certain groups affected much more severely. For example, 1 in 4 women living alone is experiencing poverty, while it is estimated that nearly half of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic households in Wales are affected.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/olderpeople.wales\/resource\/new-report-lays-bare-the-scale-and-impact-of-poverty-amongst-older-people-in-wales\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Dementia<\/p>\n

We discussed the consultation on the Welsh Government Dementia Strategy which was published yesterday\u00a0https:\/\/www.gov.wales\/written-statement-new-dementia-strategy-2026-36<\/a><\/p>\n

Social Care<\/p>\n

The Commissioner has launched a survey of older peoples views on delivery of social care and their experiences which will inform her future representations on this important issue. You are encouraged to complete this survey asap.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/olderpeople.wales\/news\/have-your-say-and-help-shape-the-future-of-social-care-in-wales\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Spotlight on Ageism<\/p>\n

The Commissioner is launching a new series of blogs to highlight the adverse impacts of ageism in society and the actions to address it. Details will be circulated soon. The Commissioner has also been working with Cardiff University to produce a module on ageism that can help improve understanding amongst professionals and other people working with older people.<\/p>\n

COPA items<\/p>\n

Tracking Survey – we explained the rationale and process for the pilot tracking survey that COPA is taking forward from January. It had been launched with Forum Representatives on 16 December.\u00a0 A 2 monthly simple questionnaire would be used to gather opinions of older people that is to be analysed and the outcome used to make representations. An email would issue in early January with all the details.<\/p>\n

Forthcoming Elections – we discussed the joint Manifesto of the National Organisations that would be launched in January and its importance in getting issues relevant to older people on the agenda of political parties. Good alignment with the\u00a0 Commissioner’s policies was noted. We also discussed the agreement in principle that a National Conference should be held in the autumn when the new Welsh Government is in place. Further discussions on the funding and organisational capacity for the Conference would be needed. The Commissioner would be pleased to be involved again.<\/p>\n

Pedestrian Crossings – we discussed research from Bath University and others about the findings that road crossings need to slow down to allow people with mobility issues and older pedestrians enough time to use them safely.\u00a0 A\u00a0 copy of the research article is attached which concludes that an extra 2 seconds are needed. The Commissioner will circulate it to the Age Friendly Leads\/Community of Practice to see what changes might be able to be considered.<\/p>\n

The next meeting with the Commissioner is on 29 January. Please let me know of any issues you want to see raised by 19 January.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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We discussed the Commissioner\u2019s latest report \u2013 Space for Everyone? Older people\u2019s perspectives on access to car parking in Wales. The report is based on experiences shared by older people,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":35268,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[8,26,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-141252","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-age","category-local","category-recentpost"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t