North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has described older people in Wales as “everyday heroes” and urged the Welsh Government to introduce an Older People’s Rights Bill to extend and promote their rights.
During the Welsh Conservative Debate on Older People in the Assembly chamber, Mr Isherwood (pictured) emphasised the "huge contribution" older people make, through work, activism, volunteering and community work, caring for families and providing childcare, but said that despite this they are often overlooked by society.
He said: “They deserve dignity and respect, independence and the freedom to make decisions about their own lives.
“As Age Cymru states, negative attitudes towards older people and ageing are pervasive in our society, based on inaccurate stereotypes, and assumptions about a person’s ability and competence due to their age.
“They add that the Welsh Government should further explore what role the introduction of a Bill of Rights for Older People could play.
“I therefore commend the call in our Motion for the introduction of an Older People's Rights Bill, to extend and promote the rights of older people – and for a duty on public sector bodies to consult older people when making decisions which affect their live."
He added: “Our 2016 Manifesto stated a Welsh Conservative Government would implement a £400 weekly cap on residential care, and protect £100,000 of assets for those in residential care. The Welsh Government’s failure to do the same is regrettable.”
No comments:
Post a Comment