Older People’s Commissioner: delays in home adaptations in Wales putting older people’s health, safety and independence at risk

A new report, published by the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, has revealed that older people in many parts of Wales are waiting over a year for crucial adaptations to be made to their homes, with the average in one area sitting at nearly two years.

Drawing on data on administering Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) in Wales, the Commissioner has warned that delays in adapting older people’s houses puts their health, safety and independence at risk, often leaving individuals unable to undertake basic tasks or move around their homes safely. In some cases, prolonged waits have resulted in older people experiencing falls or other serious injuries, leading to hospital or care home admissions that could be avoided.

Other key findings include:

• Many older people find the DFGs process to be complex, confusing and difficult to navigate.
• Local authorities across Wales are struggling to meet rapidly rising costs and increased demand.
• There are inconsistencies in the ways that the home adaptations/DFGs process is delivered across Wales, including approaches to means testing.
• Data captured about DFGs is very limited – offering no real insight into people’s experiences – and is published infrequently, limiting opportunities for scrutiny.
• Current guidance and service standards are out-of-date and offer little support to local authorities.