‘We suffer in silence’: Campaign launched to raise awareness about older people’s human rights
SOCIAL CARE WALES AND AGE CYMRU HAVE LINKED UP TO TRY AND ENSURE OLDER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME HUMAN RIGHTS THAT THEY WERE BORN WITH
Jeanette Edwards is a human rights campaigner with Age Cymru and has a simple message for people she comes into contact with during her work - don’t suffer in silence. Far too many do because of a lack of knowledge. Put simply, they may not know where to turn or might not even be aware of an issue, just accepting it without question.
“I am passionate that older people need to know about human rights because we are inclined to think about humans rights as somebody stuck in another country,” she said. “There might be something going on and they need to get in touch with an Embassy to bring them home.”
But there are daily occurrences closer to home that fall into that category as well.
One example is the lack of public toilets.
“Lots of people are really annoyed that there aren’t any public conveniences available for them, especially when there are cafes, indoor markets, parks,” said Jeanette. “It isn’t fair to people. They are preventing people from going to these places, so for me, I think that is a human right as well.”
Now, a booklet has been produced by Social Care Wales to make older people think about what kind of care they would like to receive, and what would support them to fully enjoy their human rights. Making Rights Work For Older People is being promoted by Age Cymru as part of its new project to raise awareness of human rights amongst older people in Wales.
The message is that older people are not passive recipients of care, but citizens who have the same human rights they were born with.
THE PENSIONER WHO HAD TO GO TO BED EARLIER THAN HE WANTED
Examples of how people’s human rights can be infringed are contained in the booklet. The people featured are not fully identified and include multiple sclerosis patient Mal, who was supported by a home care worker. That person’s shift pattern caused Mal a nagging problem, though. The timing of the evening home visit meant he was forced to go to bed at around 8pm because he needed the assistance of the carer who was soon to clock off. He wanted to retire for the night later so he could watch television but was denied the opportunity on a daily basis because of matters out of his control. It meant, though, that he was unable to claim his rights to independence, dignity, or self-fulfilment. A practical solution was found, though, when he was given a reclining chair on which he was able to sleep comfortably at a time that suited him.
SMALL CHANGES CAN HELP RESTORE YOUR HUMAN RIGHTS
Making Rights Work For Older People demonstrates that older people do not have to give up their autonomy because they are engaging in social care. Older people have choices and can remain an active part of their communities.
The stories in the booklets are intended to demonstrate that small changes can lead to outcomes that enable older people to fully access their human rights.
Social Care Wales undertook the work with the support of a working group consisting of independent older people’s groups, third sector organisations, universities, and other experts. Making Rights Work For Older People has been designed to be used by older people and their families, friends and carers. There is another version of Making Rights Work For Older People which is aimed at local authorities and any other professionals who are providing care and support to older people. This version features the same short stories but focuses on the importance of compliance with the due regard duty. Both booklets are available in digital and printed formats, as well as Welsh, Braille, and British Sign Language. Jeanette hopes the booklet gets as widespread circulation as possible and is urging older people who have concerns to contact Age Cymru. “Age Cymru is there for you,” she said. “Reach out to Age Cymru and let them know what’s troubling you. Sometimes I think we suffer in silence and we don’t even know that human rights are there.” Age Cymru is sending physical copies of the booklets to its partner organisations and other organisations or individuals that want one should email humanrights@agecymru.org.uk. View the booklets for older people at https://gov.wales/your-rights-care-andsupport-older-person and the booklet for people working in health and social care at https://gov.wales/older-peoplesrights-care-and-support-guidance. Find out ore about Age Cymru by visiting https://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/. Funded by the Welsh government, Social Care Wales and Age Cymru have linked up to try and ensure older people have the same human rights that they were born with