HAVING read Marianne Taylor's recent article ("Baby boomers must start sharing their property wealth", The Herald, March 14). I would agree that there needs to be a conversation about social care funding for the ageing population and that this should involve the baby boomers, but this should be a conversation, not a diatribe.
I was born in the Gorbals, and was fortunate to have parents who valued education and went out of their way to make sure their children got the best opportunities they could provide. My family would nowadays fall into the official “poor” category of government classification.
I benefited from a university education and went on to enjoy very rewarding career opportunities, which enabled me to contribute to helping to improve the life chances of others. Like all other workers, I paid my due tax and NI contributions throughout my working years and continue, along with many of the retired population, to pay tax on my pension income since retirement, which is absolutely fair, but rarely acknowledged in the media.
My husband comes from a similar background and we have enjoyed bringing up our family in the home we have lived in for 42 years. Much is made of the increase in value of a home like ours over the time scale, but there are many factors to be considered. When looking at potential for downsizing, it seems sensible to look for accommodation which would allow us to live independently for as long as possible, without the need to use up scarce care resources. When considering what is actually available, we have found that suitable flats, including specialist retirement ones, would cost considerably more than the value of our present home. The alternatives such as starter flats or older tenement properties may not offer the conveniences we might require to maintain independence. Entering this market would also put us in direct competition for properties with those who are just starting on the ladder.
Perhaps the Scottish Government needs to look at the supply of appropriate accommodation for our needs. It is certainly a growing market.
One further aspect of the media coverage of these issues which I would like to highlight is the possible emotional/psychological effects on those of us in this baby boomer population. While I am fortunate to be part of a supportive, loving family, not everyone is in that position. Many baby boomers may be living on their own, isolated, not at all the stereotype presented in the media.
Let us have a conversation, but please include us in it.
Christine Liddle,
9 Scott Drive, Cumbernauld.
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