Regardless of where we live when we are older, or how frail we are, we will all want to feel respected and valued and be able to do the things that matter to us. All of us, regardless of our age or frailty, or where we call home, want to have the very best quality of life. But unfortunately for too many older people living in care homes in Wales, this is not the case.

A recent report into the quality of life and care of older people living in care homes carried out by the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales makes for very hard reading.   

The Commissioner’s review of 100 care homes concluded that many older people living in care homes in Wales have an "unacceptable quality of life” and quickly become institutionalised.

The report also states that homes were seen as places of "irreversible decline" where residents were unable to do things that matter to them and even more disturbingly found that residents in some homes are becoming malnourished because not enough thought is going into the food they are given.

Care homes have responsibilities for older people that go beyond meeting their basic physical care needs. Providing high quality social, emotional and spiritual care is also critical if older people in their care can enjoy the best quality of life possible.

With 86 per cent of care home accommodation currently being provided by the private independent sector, it will be necessary to Government agencies to work with them to ensure that fee rates reflect the true cost of care and allow employers to invest in an increasingly professionalised workforce.

Local authorities in Wales should also think carefully about the care homes which they operate. Rather than considering axing council-run care homes in Ruthin and elsewhere, such homes should be developed instead and used by Councils to showcase the very best care possible.

As Shadow Minister for Older People, I am pleased that the Older People’s Commissioner’s report has lifted the lid on standards of care in Welsh care homes; let’s hope that positive action can now be taken to improve these settings and give our older people the quality of life they deserve.  

I have called on Labour Ministers to act swiftly to implement the report’s recommendations and work with care home providers to enable older people to continue to play an active role in Welsh society. Older people who have worked hard for our country, paid their taxes, and in some cases, even fought to keep Britain safe, they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.