Why I do not like demeaning label of ‘vulnerable elderly’ - Yorkshire Post Letters

From: Dr Sheila Hopkinson, Chesterfield.
Is the term 'vulnerable elderly' disparaging? Reader Dr Sheila Hopkinson thinks so.Is the term 'vulnerable elderly' disparaging? Reader Dr Sheila Hopkinson thinks so.
Is the term 'vulnerable elderly' disparaging? Reader Dr Sheila Hopkinson thinks so.

I AM tired of being classed as ‘vulnerable elderly’. I am in my 90th year, I have a chronic lung condition as a result of measles as a child and painful arthritis.

I have had a several bouts of major surgery including open heart surgery. I live alone, my sole companion being an ex-racing greyhound.

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I am pretty independent. I have cleaners who come in regularly to keep the bungalow clean, my washing goes to the local launderette, a local lady keeps the garden tidy and a window cleaner calls every two weeks.

Is sufficient respect afforded to the elderly? Photo: PAIs sufficient respect afforded to the elderly? Photo: PA
Is sufficient respect afforded to the elderly? Photo: PA
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I shop online and also do my banking and business transactions online.

I am a pundit to my friends, telling them what to watch on TV. Addicted to buying books, my current reading is A Short History of Europe by Simon Jenkins.

I went to university for the first time when I retired and got a Doctorate in Political Science at the age of 72 from Birmingham University. I have done numerous OU courses and am currently doing an online course at Cambridge.

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As for being told what to do in the hot weather, I would remind people that I travelled through the Suez Canal and across the Red Sea in August on a ship with no air conditioning and no stabilisers. That was hot weather!

To be lumped under the ‘vulnerable elderly’ label is demeaning, and many of my friends think the same.

I may be approaching 90, but I still have my faculties and can think and act like a ‘normal’ person, so please think again.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor