Age Cymru Statement on Public Toilet Provision

According to our latest annual survey the lack of safe, accessible, and well-maintained public toilets makes it difficult for many older people to get out into their communities.  

The lack of suitable public toilets means many older people are worried about not being able to access facilities when needed and so struggle to leave their homes, making them increasingly lonely and isolated. 

For others, we’ve heard of cases where older people will deliberately de-hydrate themselves to reduce their need to visit a toilet. 

Older people need to be confident that they can access public toilets when they are out and about, for example, visiting their high street for essential activities such as attending medical appointments, shopping for food, paying bills, or socialising. 

We know finances are tight, but councils could be more innovative in their approach to public toilet provision by opening public buildings for people to use or working more closely with local businesses to increase the provision of public toilets. 

Ends.