I enjoy reading your paper and particularly all the issues that affect us in so many different ways.

I wanted to raise awareness of the treatment of elderly people.

I worked for a while in a voluntary organisation which looks after old people. I was made aware of the plight of these people to whom I'd never given a second thought.

Their dependance on others, especially on those who didn't want this burden was an eye opener. Even though they were the same children who had been given everything by their parents.

Some had been mentally tortured by those who were being looked on as 'carers'. Others were being physically punished for their 'useless existance'. The list is endless.

During my short time of employment I talked and listened to these frail people who issues endless thanks to me for wanting to spend time with them.

My point is have we as a society - a so-called modern and educated one at that - lost so much morals, integrity and sense of decency that our elders are in this state?

Is this how the next generation are going to treat us when we are old? Is this the example we set them?

Isn't it time we as a community pulled ourselves together and make time for those who gave up all their time for us? Wake up before it is too late.

S Yusuf

Swan Lane

Bolton