I SAY congratulations on the forward planning idea of cutting down the cost of helping people who actually could cope if relatives gave a hand.

In many cases they do, but some people do not have relatives nearby.

In The Press (Mary Cut Off By Lightning, August 29) we are told of a lady aged 92, whose daughter lives in Cheshire, who was worried as her mother wears a special pendant to call a warden.

This was cut off for a week, therefore no contact through the storm which destroyed the BT phone line.

This "being in your own home" is a tricky situation when help is only to be had by private expensive "care", in your home, or a care home.

We must get real. So many relatives move away, even abroad, so who looks after the parent living alone, with no other close relatives?

They must simply spend their own money on "help".

M Lloyd, Ouse Lea, Clifton, York.