Elderly left to nurse their just grievances

I WAS shocked by the Government’s decision to penalise thousands of elderly people by withdrawing financial support from those who use private nursing homes.

The fact that any subsidies in future will be provided on the basis of strict medical and financial assessments is alarming. What exactly does ‘strict medical assessment’ mean? Will our old folk have to be at death’s door before they get a penny in State aid?

They say they want the families of the elderly to take more responsibility for them. Sounds fair enough if the traditional family was still strong.

However, as we all know, the liberal agenda of successive governments has dealt a near fatal blow to the traditional family. Our old folk deserve better. After all, it was they who built up the economy, working long hours in often atrocious conditions for small pay.

Now in the twilight of their days, an uncaring regime wants to push them out into families, many of which are broken or disturbed and incapable of providing a proper standard of care. What a travesty of justice.

William J FitzGerald,

Tallow,

Co Waterford.