The prime minister should reflect on the definition of ‘quality of life’ and give some help to pensioners, writes Jenny Lumley. Plus letters from Dr Nick Pratt, Gordon Glassford and Carolyn Sutton
For Elsie (Woman who rides bus to stay warm is tip of pensioner poverty iceberg, 3 May), insert my friend Mary, aged in her late 80s, living in a retirement flat without care provision. She is widowed. She struggles to manage financially and her mobility is very poor: walking is now difficult and using public transport is all but impossible.
She relies heavily on another friend for shopping and general help. A recent added problem is the closure of her local Lloyds bank – the nearest now being a lengthy bus journey away. She has no internet access, nor does she own a mobile phone. She is reliant on her bank, but parking in the area is difficult and Mary could not walk the distance, hence my involvement.
