Sir,
Despite the huge increase in the number of elderly people being forecast 30 years ago, politicians of all colours failed to plan and budget for a different society. Keeping people in their own homes is great but how can we ensure they are all monitored and have regular personal contact?
It costs £100 for a GP to make a home visit and £50 for a nurse. It’s still £25 for a social worker, which is why in Finland and Jersey governments are paying postal workers £5 to check on elderly residents and reduce the need and expense for crisis care. A quick smile and a chat for an isolated pensioner living alone is good and cheap medicine.