MUCH has been written about the elderly and the problems with the declining number of care or nursing homes.

I have had personal family experience when my father, some years ago, ended his days at Devizes. Also I have accompanied friends who have had relatives in these institutions.

For the innocent, or ignorant, could the Evening Advertiser or anyone explain to us truthfully how it is that figures like £350 are bandied about to keep a person for one week in these homes?

With every respect, many of these "patients" are ushered from their beds in the morning to be returned at night. During the day they sit and stare blankly, doze or rock gently to and fro. Sustenance is very often in the form of cups of drink but it is amazing how low is their intake of food for survival. There are overheads, of course, but how can anyone justify £350 per person per week? I am sure I could get a nice hotel with creature comforts and excellent cuisine for that money.

The two page spread in the Advertiser recently quoted the £350 figure and a home that had 32 "patients''. Am I to equate that to £350 times 32 = £11,200 and do I assume that an owner is unable to make a profit from that?

Once upon a time people worked and bought their own home which they were able to pass on to their offspring when they departed this life. It appears now that should one in old age become infirm and incapable, your home must be sold and the proceeds handed over to care. An example, say on a £100,000 house, to care for the individual at £350 per week, the full amount would be swallowed up in just over five years asset gone and someone has made a nice little profit!

The shame added to this, is that a couple together in a home, approaching the end of their days, are separated sometimes miles apart because of scrooge policies which result in their rapid demise.

IVAN E RICKWOOD

Eldene