I live in a block of eight flats (or apartments in the US), four up, four down.

The man who lives directly below me is a 77 y/o who is virtually bed-ridden; his legs are giving up on him.

He has no family what-so-ever and is totally dependant on the welfare state.

Every time he is given the option of going into a Care Home he turns it down.

40 years he's lived there, since leaving the merchant navy, and thats where he wants to die.

He's just come out of hospital - after putting his replacement hip out - and social services were slow to put things in place for him.

We, the other residents, have been doing his laundry, cooking some meals and doing some shopping for him.

He now has 4 visits a day and everything is in place except his laundry.

He is very bad tempered and blames everyone around him for his plight. He is sometimes insulting to his care workers, to the point of them walking out on him.

I know Human Rights say that he has to make his own decisions but where do you draw the line?

His standard of care would be better in the fact that he would get instant attention when he wants it in a Care Home and everyone agrees with this except him.

At the moment he is dominating our Christmas and we are all fed up!   

Hoping that you will all find an acceptable soulution, in the near future:

Hello Barry
You know we have the same problem here,only its a couple.
He was a P.O.W and they never had any kids.They own their flat and need a rest home,they wont sell it and go into one.
So they pay for carers which is expensive but the carers arent there in the middle of the night when he falls or she falls,I have tried to explain they would be far better off being looked after but she thinks they want to make her sell her flat and then take the money.Its so sad they are both in their 80s, we like you do our best,but I have stopped going in now because she keeps losing money and I dont want to be blamed,so if I go in now I take another neighbour with me.
I have suggested they try it for a couple of weeks and go back 2 weeks after etc,just to get the feel of it.
My elderly aunt in New Zealand went into a home under duress and within a few  months loved it.
Can you suggest he goes on holiday to one as a respite.
You can alwasy phone the social services too they will look into it and also the GP.

Yeap Britain Boasts!!!! Of course it cares, its benevolent, caring and humane to every other race cread or misfit in the world, but for its own people it gives not a monkeys fig (or words to that effect).

When my family sat down for Christmas dinner (2pm) my little man Myles (6 years young) said "Dad what has happened"? I as a responsible Father (might be questionable by the PC brigade)said "What do you mean Son"?

Now are you ready for this?
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Dad? He said, "last year and the year before when we sat down for Christmas Dinner there was something on the Telly and it upset me". (dont forget was only five at the time).
I asked him if I should remove Mummy's plastic flowers, she keeps a bunch on the telly cant have real ones can you? Might get a shock if the water spills!!!!

"NO DAD" came his reply, "can you turn the TV off". Done. we sat and ate Christmas dinner, no we didnt have turkey, we had lamb, and very nice it was too. Myles cleared his plate and even asked for more, and got it, cheeky little blighter!

Then we watched the Queens speach, isnt she some lady?

Anyway after the excitment of all that I asked Myles what his concerns were prior to eating Christmas Dinner? Now there are some questions you should never ask a Child and yes I had asked it!!!

This was his reply!!!! (dont forget he is going to be seven in 2009).

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"When I was four Dad I saw an advert on Tv that showed black people with aids and nasty things and at School we were asked to give some money to help them. (Dad what is Aids?) ( I let that one slip by). Last year Dad I saw black babies with flies crawling out of their eyes and trying to get in their mouths and people were asking for more money. Dad? What happened to all the money they got last year? did their Dads go out to work?

What can an honest Dad say to his Son?

I know what I want to tell him!!!! The truth...but oh gosh and stiff upper bloody lip and have to be so PC these days the truth never emerges.

Oh sorry its a tale of a man down stairs or across a great divide.

Do you still give?

HOW CAN THIS GOV. GIVE MILLIONS TO HELP OTHER COUNTRIES OUT, YET CAN HELP THERE OWN PENSIONERS OUT.

Chris you missed get back to nationalisation and good tradesmen,and get out of the EU !




Yes I do still give to the poor Via CAFOD

Haa I got my gas bill    ?183.50
    I got my lecky bill  ?120.10    I am still cold too !
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!