AS WE are now in the throes of yet another election I find it interesting listening to the Tories claiming what a good job they have made of the economy.

I must say that one success they have had is turning sick and elderly people into a growth industry and are not shy in plundering the bank accounts and assets of these poor people.

My father is a 92-year-old man who lives alone and has recently fell into poor health, but unfortunately because he has worked all his life, fought in WW2 never been in debt and managed to purchase his modest home is now being treated quite heartlessly now he is being readied to leave hospital.

Because of his health causing mobility problems we have had to arrange a meeting in his house with a hospital nurse and social worker and it saddens me greatly that the outcome of their visit concluded that they want him to live in his downstairs room with a bed and commode and have health visitors coming in four times a day. 

He only has an upstairs bathroom and toilet but is refused access to the stairs, they are also refusing him access to his back garden. 

So basically turning his small downstairs room into a prison cell.

So is this a dignified way to treat an elderly person? I think not.

But the real kick in the teeth is for him to have this poor existence, he will be charged around £350 per week for the privilege, plus the expense of having to purchase a new bed and bedding let alone the stress of having to remove a great deal of his furniture to accommodate the bed.

Although in the short term the charges are not a great problem but he feels it's an insult to be charged so much to live like a prisoner in his own home and he is very upset that this is how he will end his life. 

When we enquired about sheltered accommodation for him we were promptly told he either lives at home or moves into a private care home at £1250 per week. Indicating that because he managed to buy his house he lost his entitlement to sheltered housing because you can only apply for one of these if you live in a council/housing association accommodation. 

Makes you wonder if it's worth buying!!

It seems to me that if you are a 50 year old alcoholic or a person who has never attempted to do a day's work in your life, people will bend over backwards to help you.

But work all your life and save a bit of money, social services will swoop down on your assets like vultures with no regard for your dignity.

The extra stress this awful situation is causing my father is outrageous. If they were able to consider the patient as highly as they consider his assets life would be a lot better for everyone. 

Now we either have a welfare state or we don't. But to treat a 92-year-ld man worse than a common criminal is appalling and this government should hang its head in shame if they feel that in the 21st century this is the correct way to treat our elderly.

My advice to young people under this regime would be spend your money while you earn it as you will be penalised in later life if you save.

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