Public toilets: Older people avoid drinking over lack of loos

Older people say they are intentionally dehydrating themselves or not leaving the house because of a lack of public toilets.

Wales Senior Forum said many toilets had shut or become less accessible since the Covid pandemic.

Its chairman Gareth Parsons called on the Welsh government to provide specific funding for public loos.

The Welsh government said it has introduced legislation to improve public toilet accessibility.

The toilets opposite the bus station in Maesteg, Bridgend county, were closed recently.

Ken Hunt, 75, who had prostate cancer and needs to use the bathroom more regularly, said the closures were "terrible".

"From my experience as a child there were toilets everywhere. It's ridiculous and a big health concern," he said.

"I've got to wear pads and I've got to change them four times a day whether there are toilets or not.

"That's not just me. I am speaking for everyone. A baby can't go round in a pram wet all day can they."

Martin Carroll, 75, said he had stopped drinking sometimes two hours before leaving the house.

"It's very difficult. Before you go out you need to think about where you are going to go, where you are going to be in town, will there be the chance to use the toilet in a café of not?

"You end up thinking 'do you want to go":[]}