Cymru Older People’s Alliance is calling for more focus on the needs of older people in their communities.
Cymru Older People’s Alliance (COPA) exists to improve the welfare of older people in Wales, working towards an Age Friendly Wales in which everyone is valued and included, and able to age well in their community.
The Alliance are pleased to acknowledge UN International Day for Older Persons - which took place on Friday, October 1 - and welcome the focus on older people. They will continue their work with Welsh Government towards developing Age Friendly Communities in Wales. UN International Day for Older Persons this year is especially important given the difficulties faced by older people in Wales and across the world in the past eighteen months.
As we move out of the pandemic, it is important that older people are not left behind and that they receive the support and services that they need to remain an important part of their local communities. COPA represents local older people’s forums at all levels, supporting them to make their voices heard and providing an independent local voice for older people.
COPA is pleased to support the theme of UN International Day for Older Persons 2021 – Digital Equity for All Ages.
During the pandemic, digital services have been vital, but many older people cannot access online information and services. It is essential that the move towards a digital world does not leave older people behind.
COPA, a charity run by older people for older people, is calling for more investment in programmes to improve digital inclusion for older people and ensure that they understand how to do so safely.
It is also essential that government and businesses to retain non-digital means of communication for those who are excluded.
The charity’s main purpose is to ensure that older people’s forums and groups at a local level have their voices heard at the national level.