A new stage of life

Old people, older people, the elderly, pensioners, old boys or girls, retired people, senior citizens, ..., we have a variety of expressions to refer to people over 60. Some of the terms are considered more politically correct than others but, however you describe them, the majority of older people face similar problems.

In a recent survey, 45% of older people said that financial difficulties were their biggest problem. Many of them live alone, and their only source of income is the state pension. A large percentage of this income is spent on housing, food, heating and light, leaving a very small amount for clothing, transport and entertainment. In the winter, some older people worry about paying fuel bills and so economise on the cost of food. It is estimated that about two million older people have problems keeping warm and eating well in the U.K.  Do you think this situation is the same in Spain? Please, let us know your opinion.....

Older people who have savings and investments are expected to contribute to the cost of care. This includes paying part of the cost of help at home, sessions at a day centre, transport, meals and equipment for the home. If an older person moves to a residential home or a nursing home, they are often expected to pay for the care provided, This angers older people who have worked all their lives and saved money for their retirement.

Health is also a big concern for older people and for their carers. As a local authorities make cuts in the number of home visits by nurses, family and friends are having to take the responsibility for the daily care of older people. This includes monitoring thir general health, checking their diet, giving medicine and helping with hygiene. If an older person is seriously ill, their local hospital may not be able to help them. Geriatric wards in may hospitals have been closed, so that only ten per cent of frail, older people are cared for in hospital.

Apart from the financial and physical problems that can accompany retirement, many older people complain about the way society thinks of them in general. They are often seen as the responsibility of younger people, but with no valid contribution to make to society. People see that they have slowed down physically and so presume that they are mentally slow too and talk to them as if they were children. They are excluded from work because of their age when many of them have years of experience and knowledge to offer.