A shake-up of home care services in Powys ran into difficulty because of problems including poor communication and staffing issues, a review has found.

Complaints of neglect came after Powys council cut its list of around 20 providers to four in April and May.

Montgomeryshire AM Russell George branded the reorganisation “shambolic”. The council said there were “lessons to be learnt” and changes were under way.

Better communication between local government and the care sector is the answer to ensure that these issues are not replicated elsewhere.

For more on this story visit the BBC website.

Below is the newsletter from the Older People’s Commission for Wales, with updates of the Commission’s work over the last few months.

The newsletter gives information and advice on numerous different subjects including:

• The Welsh Government’s Nest scheme aiming to tackle fuel poverty by improving the energy efficiency of existing homes across Wales
• Tax Help for Older People service that provides free, independent and expert help and advice for older people on lower incomes who cannot afford to pay for professional tax advice. Their team of over 450 volunteers provides support to people across the country.
• The Ageing Well in Wales Programme, established to improve the wellbeing of people aged 50 and over in Wales.

To read the newsletter visit the Older People’s Commission for Wales website.

Too many older people living in care homes in Wales have an unacceptable quality of life says a report published today by the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales.

The Report – ‘A Place to Call Home?’ – has been published following the Commissioner’s Review into the quality of life and care of older people living in care homes in Wales.

Review evidence also shows that the care delivered in many care homes in Wales often fails to meet the needs of an individual, focusing instead on a one-size-fits-all approach, something that can have a significant impact on the quality of life of older people living in residential and nursing care.

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, said:

“My Care Home Review has been the biggest Review of its kind ever undertaken in Wales and has the voices of older people and their families at its heart.

“While my Review found excellent examples of truly person-centred care, enabling and empowering care that delivers the very best outcomes for older people, there are significant variations across Wales that result in too many older people living in care homes having an unacceptable quality of life.

To read more visit the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales website

Read the latest newsletter from the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, which provides an update of the Commissioner’s work over the last few months including:

•  Details of the introduction of a Welsh Declaration of the Rights of Older People in July by the Welsh Government, which will protect and enhance the rights of older people across Wales.
• The Commissioner launched a new Toolkit in July to help older people to make their voices heard and influence the decisions that affect their lives. The Toolkit provides a wide range of practical information to help older people to engage with Local Authorities, including the ways in which they can influence and challenge decisions and the support available to help them to do this.
• The Commissioner has published her work programme for 2014-15, which outlines the work she will undertake during the coming year to drive change for older people across Wales
• Information on the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO) which was established over 60 years ago to improve lives in coalfield areas, providing support to miners and their families ‘beyond the colliery gate’. And although the pits have now closed, CISWO is still going strong, with 15 groups meeting regularly across South Wales.

To read the newsletter visit the Older People’s Commission for Wales website.