A letter about “paying the price for old age” (The Argus, October 23) only too well reminds me of my parents’ situation.

My late father was in the Army and served in Eygpt.

He worked for Brighton Corporation buses after the war – the only job he had.

Times were hard for my parents and sometimes he told me he had to borrow a few pence to get a cup of tea.

My mother worked part-time, not earning much.

Like your letter writer’s parents, mine too never had anything on credit – they always saved until they had enough.

My father died in 2002 after years of ill health. In his last few months he was in a nursing home, which my mother struggled to pay for, with no help.

My parents, too, had no holidays or state help at all. They lived life without luxuries.

My mother, now 92, lived alone with myself and my husband looking in on her every day until February this year when she needed 24-hour care.

Reluctantly, she went into a care home, the cost of which we have to pay with very little help from social services.

As your letter writer states, what is this country doing?

Ann Leadbetter, Milner Road, Brighton