Why Are People So Poor?

[lankeela]

I have never been well off, worked all my life and only recently qualified for my state pension so have virtually retired with my very small wage covering my dog showing hobby. I am actually as well off now as I have ever been, with a regular pension payment which easily covers my housing cost (part owned house and part rented) plus council tax (with single person discount). I run a vehicle, keep several dogs, and eat well. Got an electric heater and immersion for hot water. I honestly don't understand why some of these old people are in such a bad way.

[andres]

My pension is paid monthly and my husband's weekly.

[Hymie]

Hang on – now, between you, you have an income of over £20k p.a. and are wondering how people live on half that amount.

[andres]

Whose post are you answering??Hymie

[Hymie]

My own – I assumed she was living on a single person’s pension – there was no indication in her original post that she was married to some who also has a pension – hence my comment on how well she was doing on circa £10k.

[Hymie]

So now lankeela might be beginning to understand why people are so poor – they are living alone on less than £10k p.a.

[tiggerblue10]

Lankeela mentioned getting a single person's discount on CT so probably lives alone.

[Maydup]

The original post is clear that Lankeela is a single person. It can be a struggle covering all of the bills on your own, but like me, we live in rural Norfolk which is somewhat easier than living in an urban environment where rents make your eyes water.

The other thing to take into account is the media who will always seek out the most sensational story to demonstrate their point like this lady on the bus, rather than interview a fair range of average people. Just as when there is a story about the NHS we hear about the person who's waited hours for an ambulance and left with no food or water for a night in a hospital cupboard!

[douglas9401]

Jings! Shooting the messenger now.

[bobbinwales]

Hymie... have you misread something. Who said they get 20000 ?

[ladybirder]

Looks like Hymie has mistaken Andres' 23.15 post as being from Lankeela.

I agree with Lankeela and believe there are many pensioners not claiming the help from the state to which they are entitled. Also there are those people who just aren't much good at managing their money.

[1ozzy]

Silver spoons could have assisted some.

[barry1010]

Could you cope with an unexpected bill? What would you do if the engine in your car blew up, or your boiler condemned?
Do you have many grandchildren to buy presents for?
Could you afford to pay for home help if you became incapacitated?

[jennyjoan]

Barry from what I know and see in this street - we have a lady who has become incapacitated through dementia and she has two carers coming 4 times a day- what they do beats me - they walk in have a yarn and back out again. The lady does live with a daughter and son-in-law but they both work and daughter has organised a carer who comes 9-4.

[Redhelen72]

Jenny,
they will make sure she is clean, moved, has something to drink and eat and comfortable

[barry1010]

JJ, they could be administering her medications. It doesn't take long but is vital.

[jennyjoan]

I am aware of that and I do know they shower her sometimes in the morning if the daughter hasn't already done it but since the daughter is there at night and a carer during the day - can't understand why they can't administer the medication.

Whilst I had another friend who died last month - one carer came twice a day - looked at her and then left.

She told me she would have loved one of them to have freshened up her single bed but as they said - that's not in their remit.

[Redhelen72]

It depends what medication she is on - it may need spreading out throughout the day.
As for the washing aspect again it depends on the agency used (nhs tender these jobs out to agencies) and what the original ask was.

[jennyjoan]

yes - this is a "tendered" job

[andres]

It does look as though Hymie mistook my post for Lankeelas.. However I would like to point out that not all married couples get £20,000 retirement benefit yearly. We don't .

[pixie374]

Jj, that sounds like she needs regular changing or turning, where they need two carers at those times?