Last updated 13:43, Thursday, 06 March 2008

THE frequently repeated, depressing adage that there’s nothing much to grow old for is one we’re constantly told we must fiercely challenge.

National policy makers, politicians, health professionals, social services and charities all claim to have the needs of the elderly very much at the forefront of their thinking... but try telling that to Norma Rigg.

Norma is one of more than 1,000 pensioners who will suffer demeaning hardship following cuts in public funding to Carlisle Age Concern.

She lives alone, suffers crippling pain rendering her housebound and yet – with support – has managed to achieve independence in her advancing years.

Norma and others like her don’t ask the earth. They want no special favours.

They ask only that necessary support services, to which they’ve had good reason to believe they were entitled, continue to allow the degree of freedom they’re urged to claim.

They’ve been encouraged by so many fund-holding agencies to choose supported independence for more than altruistic reasons.

If older people live safely in their own homes, they are – not to put too fine a point on it – cheaper.

They don’t block hospital beds or run up residential care bills; some routine day-to-day needs can be provided by family, neighbours and friends.

Latest government policy even makes the point that new-build homes should include features equipping them for independent elderly living, to which we all should aspire.

But the good intentions of the right hand count for nothing when the left hand is slashing crucial public funding and withdrawing vital support from people like Norma who want only to make the most of what they have and be a burden on no-one.

Call it incompetence, penny-pinching, neglect, poor planning, disregard.

Call it what you will. Norma calls it imprisonment in the home she’d intend to be her safe haven.

And that’s just plain betrayal.