Age Concern report's conclusions 'shame our society' says Assembly Member

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 23rd May 2008

Welsh Liberal Democrat Social Justice spokesperson, Peter Black has been horrified by the picture painted by the third annual 'Spotlight' report from Help the Aged about the way we treat elderly people, and is calling for action from government, and from society as a whole.

Mr Black said:

"I have been shocked by the main conclusions of this report. One in four older people are so worried about the future that they are making themselves ill.

"More pensioners are in fuel poverty than last year, with 21% living in overall poverty.

"The report goes on to highlight the growing problem of ageism, with 29% of respondents saying that health professionals treat older people as a nuisance.

"Over 75s are finding it harder to get around, and around one million UK pensioners are lonely.

"Such findings shame our society. Here in Wales where incomes are already lower and housing less adequate than the rest of the UK we have a particular problem.

"That is why the Labour Government must include a complete ban on age discrimination in the forthcoming Equality Bill, do away with fuel poverty among the most vulnerable by the next election, and scrap their Post Office closure program.

"It is also why we all need to think about our older neighbours. Loneliness is a truly terrible scourge. Charities like Help the Aged are always searching for volunteers to work with older people. Why not contact them?"

Ends

Note to Editors

Help the Aged Cymru can be contacted at:

12 Cathedral Rd, Cardiff CF11 9LJ

Tel: 02920 346 550

Fax: 02920 390 898

Email: infocymru@helptheaged.org.uk