Care homes; Your LETTERS.

Byline: Bryn Williams 

I REFER to the letter (Daily Post April 17) from R E Williams of Caernarfon regarding the costs borne by older people in residential care homes.

R E Williams goes on to say "May I dare ask whether Age Concern. could take a more active interest in this important matter?"

I wish to assure her or him that Age Concern has campaigned long and hard for care to be provided free of charge at the point of delivery - wherever the setting.

We were delighted when, in its last National Assembly election manifesto, Welsh Labour pledged to abolish charges for home care; we were therefore deeply disappointed when this pledge was subsequently reneged upon.

I was dismayed at R E Williams implication that people who do not fund their own care in its entirety have somehow been profligate throughout their lives.

The reality is that all people living in care homes pay an amount towards their care; the only exceptions are those who qualify for their care to be funded by the NHS or those who are the subject of a plan of after-care arranged under the Mental Health Act.

There will be very many people who worked tremendously hard throughout their lives who would have been overjoyed had they been able to afford to save; this will include widows and those people in low pay occupations. Their contribution to society has been no less than "the haves;" in very many cases, it may well have been greater.

Bryn Williams, Chief Officer, Age Concern, North Wales Central