WILLIAM Shakespeare wrote the “Seven Stages of Man” which we have to admit is very true. Stage one we depend completely on our parents and the over the years in slow stages we find our independence, “fly the nest”, find our independence and stop living off mam and dad (not always). Maybe get married and when we have children the circle starts all over again.

They later branch out and find their independence and we are then back on our own again and now find time for the outside world and the hobbies that we once were ambitious to do, but time did not allow.

We now have time to look to the future and I am sorry to say old age if we are truly honest with ourselves.

Unfortunately a lot of people do not think of this and when they reach a stage when they are unable to cope and have no alternative but to go into a home where almost every thing is provided for them, but at a price.

They lose their independence and if they live long enough, all their life savings.

What we need to do is to build more flats with a warden to make sure people retain their independence as long as possible.

The state do provide some, but we need many more and the only way we can achieve this is for individuals to get together, look to the future, plan, finance and build these flats as a group and this way maintain their independence, but with one flat for a warden to assist the individual in the hour of need.

Ideal it would be nice if the local authority would provide these and let them out to those who need them, but of course they are not in a financial position to provide such a service on a large scale.

Most of us today own our own homes and are therefore sitting on substantial assets, but only to see them disappear in a care home.

I believe that people should maintain their independence as long as possible and one way of doing this as outlined above. Your future is in your hands and I must remind you of the saying “God only helps those that help themselves”.

SIR ERIC HOWELLS

Llanddewi Velfrey