Lessons from abroad on care of elderly

I HAVE recently returned from visiting my elderly Aaunt in Germany. Following a couple of hospital admissions, she now needs full-time care but wants to remain in her own home. It has therefore been arranged for her to have a full-time carer for three months on call 24 hours a day and living with my aunt, seeing to her every need.

Most carers come from Eastern European countries and the wonderful lady she has looking after her at the moment is from Bulgaria.

I know this system is not without its problems but surely for those like my aunt this is a good way to enable people to live at home with full support. This is part funded by the State and part by my aunt. Of interest also is that my aunt’s GP visits her monthly at home to check that all is okay with her. Some friends have told me that this used to happen here – surely a good idea and one which might prevent signs of illness from getting worse – prevention is better than cure – and for peace of mind.

Travelling to visit my aunt on public transport, I also noticed that the buses are very disabled friendly. The large double door in the middle opens up to all – wheelchairs, mobility scooters, bicycles, pushchairs.

In fact, the driver got out of the bus and put a ramp down to make it easier for wheelchairs to get on. How good is that? This is a small town, not a city or tourist destination. From my observations, they seem to be spot on with care for the elderly and disabled.

Rail firm’s contempt

From: David Neil, Otley Road, Menston.

The very morning of Northern Rail’s public relations disaster, discouraging travellers from taking their bikes to see the Tour de France in Yorkshire (The Yorkshire Post, May 21), I arrived at my local station to find staff handing leaflets to every passenger.

A special offer, perhaps? Some gesture of conciliation? No, the leaflet’s sole purpose was to threaten us with criminal proceedings if we didn’t have a ticket. What kind of company dedicates its entire PR effort to stigmatising people like myself who have just paid them the thick end of £1,000 for a season ticket? The reason Northern Rail’s PR effort falls into the NET category (that’s Not Even Trying) is that their customers are not the passengers at all but the useless civil servants at the Department of Transport who hand them their licence to print money. They’re not required, as other companies are, to offer catering, first class compartments or even seat reservations - and they don’t have to attract passengers because they’ve already got more than they can handle. No wonder they’re so contemptuous of the rest of us: we’re just their cargo.

From: Andrew Mercer, Guiseley.

WHY did Yorkshire’s rail firms pay for Olympic cycling champion Jason Kenny to promote their tourism strategy for the Tour de France when they do not want people to travel on trains on the weekend in question with their bicycles?

No wonder Mr Kenny looked slightly bewildered at Leeds Station.

Drivers have responsibility

From: ME Wright, Grove Road, Harrogate.

HUGH Rogers (The Yorkshire Post, May 20) states that the answer to road safety is care, courtesy and consideration by all road users. I think most of us would agree with him; but there are quite a few who don’t. The fact remains that we drivers, however unintentionally, kill and maim far more people than the mad axe men etc of tabloid obsession.

Regardless of blame, the main responsibility rests with us.

The usual plethora of speed signs is of limited use, but even Jack the Lad has to respect a speed bump, because of the threat to his precious exhaust. Ultimately, responsibility for road safety rests with the courts.

Time and again we read of mobile phone boors getting away with a derisory fine and three points. They choose to stick two fingers up to the law and other road users. Why wait for them to kill before banning them?

From: Roger M Dobson, Ash Street, Crosshills, Keighley.

AS a council tax payer, I never cease to be amazed by the number of people of all ages who ride a bicycle on the pavement. Where are the police when this is happening? Are they just catching speeding motorists and drink drivers? I do believe we deserve a better service for the taxes we pay.

Backward step on walk

From: Canon Michael Storey, Healey Wood Road, Brighouse.

THE other day, a friend and I used the details of the South Stainley Circular walk (The Yorkshire Post, May 17). What a lovely walk – thanks for this and all the others which are provided in your Saturday edition.

However, we do not like the new style maps that you provide. There was much more helpful detail in the old style maps with trees, streams and roads all in colour. We took with us your South Stainley Circuit walk of Saturday July 23 2011 and were much helped by its greater coloured detail. Please revert to that more colourful style in the future.