I READ with interest the comments made on "Care for the Elderly" in the "Courier’s" Views on the News column on August 18.

This subject comes up time and time again, whether it’s in your newspaper or one of the nationals; it is a bone of contention and has caused so much debate between people.

I have a mother that has used care at home in the past, but now however, is in a nursing home here in Crediton.

Most of us would use the term at some point in our lives,"there’s no place like your own home," however, as much as we would like to remain at home, it’s not always the safest place for us to be.

Carer’s, if you can get them, are increasingly under pressure to be there for a minimum amount of time and expected to be performing miracles in that time. They are of great value to a lot of people and they work long hours, and are often not paid enough for their worth, be that in your own home or a nursing home.

Being in care means that you have 24 hour assistance, you are fed, kept clean, given your medication, generally looked after, and you are not so lonely.

At these stressful times, families come under pressure of work and are not always able to fulfill the requirements of care to their loved ones.

I have seen both sides of the coin, it can be a very stressful situation for all concerned.

Only this week I have seen a report that says, we have an ageing population and that in the next 20 years we will have to build more care homes.

Who are these people that are making stupid decisions to close smaller hospitals and care homes now?

We see reports of hospitals overcrowded with elderly people who can’t be sent home for "Home Care" or to a Nursing Home, never mind the next 20 years!

For goodness sake, stop closing these places now!

We have lost the beds at Crediton Hospital and St Lawrence Care Home over the last few years, honestly it beggars belief.

When people are able to stay in their own homes, yes that’s fine if they are safe and can manage with some assistance, but a much safer place, undoubtedly is a care home, in their later years.

So when you ask the question: What do we as readers think of care at home? I would say, if it suits you, all well and good, it’s down to the individual’s needs, but if you need to be in a care home, good luck finding one!

Diana Rice

Crediton Resident

Address supplied