Re: Don't get older or become infirm so need social care …
Baz, I couldn't agree more. I well recollect once being rushed into hospital at the age of 65 (and still working full time).
Of course, it hit home to me straight away that I was classed as old, because I was placed into what I will always refer to as the "Geriatric Ward". You know the one, no laughing, no flowers, no phones and definitely not one television set.
Anyway, because of the rush and HWMO not yet returned with everything I needed, I asked the ward nurse on duty if she would be so kind as to provide me with a small packet of paper tissues that they gave out as I didn't even have anything to blow my nose with!. Her reply? We have run out of them. My remark? Oh dear, that's a shame, her reply as she glared at me? Well, we wouldn't if the NHS didn't have to provide so much for pensioners!
You couldn't make it up honestly. I was speechless. Talk about a bitter woman Definitely being a nurse was not a calling!
Another time I was treated dreadfully, was when I first applied for the concession for my commuter travel when I reached pension age. Now, I usually left home at 7 am every morning and never got home again until 7pm This was five days a week and the council usually closed at 4 pm every weekday and didn't open at weekends
HWMO could not get the form for me either as he too left for work every morning at the same time.
I phoned the relevant department to ask them if they could kindly send the form to me, I would be quite happy to pay for the postage. Reply? "We do not send anything like this by post! What do you think taxpayers would say if we wasted their valuable taxes to send out forms to Pensioners such as yourself willy nilly?"
Have to say, I gave him a pasting over the phone, reminding him that I too was a taxpayer, worked full-time, and he had no right to refer to pensioners in such a manner, as they have worked their whole lives paying tax as well.
He got the message very quickly that I was fuming with his disgraceful attitude towards the elderly. (And he sent it by post).
Quite frankly, I am sick to death at the way we are treated. I'm sure some would prefer it if we were discreetly disposed of once we reach pension age. Pillocks!
Since Ageism is not allowed, it is definitely still prevalent. especially in the NHS and Government departments.