§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he will take to improve the quality of life of pensioners in Wales.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesMy right hon. Friend's proposals for the improvement of the quality of life of pensioners in Wales are set out in chapter 11 of the White Paper "Caring for People—Community Care in the next Decade and Beyond", Cm 849, and in guidance issued subsequently to assist authorities in preparing for its full implementation. The social care plans for the implementation of community care for the elderly, drawn up by social services authorities in Wales, jointly with health and housing authorities and others, have the following key aims and objectives:
1. To do all that is practicable to enable elderly people to live in the home environment of their own choice.
2. To maintain and foster maximum independence, taking into account personal and coping skills.
3. To recognise the needs of family and other carers, and to provide them with necessary support.
4. To encourage participation in community life, by facilitating access to social, educational and leisure opportunities.
5. To provide information to enable individuals to make informed and realistic choices about services.
6. To promote opportunities for elderly people, and the carers of elderly people, to contribute to the design of services and to ensure that they are able to contribute to local policy and operational planning.
7. To respond to individuals' choice of service, while ensuring that good standards of care are maintained.
8. To stimulate the development of a wide and flexible range of services from a variety of providers, and to ensure cooperation and effective working by all concerned.
9. To increase public awareness of the needs and rights of elderly people.