FOLLOWING the recent article concerning care for the elderly I have a few comments.

My mother is 88 and until this year was very active, mobile and self-sufficient. She lives alone and enjoyed life to the full. Unfortunately, ill health and age have caught up and although still mentally alert (if chatting about Emmerdale and playing bingo counts) she's now ready for care in a safe environment.

She's stepped into the 'grey' area of asking for help at the end of her hard working life.

As a good, old-fashioned 'home-help' she rode her bike in all weathers for 25 years looking after the 'old 'uns', performing far more tasks than 'her brief' suggested. There were no 'boundaries' in those days and loved every minute of her 'caring' profession.

No one mentioned the 'F' word in 1970!

I have just a few questions on her behalf:- Why aren't there more NHS temporary resource/respite centres in the area? Why is a client restricted to only six weeks residential rehabilitation? Why does my mother have to beg for (and be denied) social service's home care when she's obviously vulnerable?

And there are many more, the list is endless.

There’s only one answer. My 88-year-old mother will carry on struggling with her vulnerability knowing that the Government has just promised her a better future!

Did anyone hear the 'F' word this week?

Yes, you've guessed it's 'funding'...

Bemused, Bromsgrove