Telephone allowance cut will hit elderly

The abolition of the telephone allowance is really a reduction in the old age pension.

A landline is a necessity for the following reasons:

My mother, who is in her 70s, really appreciates the telephone allowance, because she needs a landline in order to have the personal alarm.

Last Halloween a group of young lads aged about 10 tried to force their way into her home, when she opened her front door to give them some sweets and apples.

She had the pendant around her neck, and pressed the button for her neighbour, who, fortunately, was in and came immediately.

The children ran away and caused no damage to her home, but they did cause her psychological damage and stress.

My mother is a nervous state about Halloween this year. She did not ask me to leave my family and take time off from my job to come home and be with her.

Because of her nervous state, I have decided to come home for the week. It’s difficult to get time off work as I am a nurse, and we have pre-arranged holidays.

It’s time parents supervised children going around from house to house at Halloween, or maybe the custom should be done away with altogether.

It’s also essential that children have designated safe play areas in estates; where they do not interfere with private property.

Most elderly feel unsafe in their homes at all times.

But now, having to manage with a mobile phone, with poor reception in some areas, is making life extremely stressful and fearful.

M McMahon

Templeogue

Dublin 6W