I have just returned from a three day visit to see my 90 year old Grandmother in the Yorkshire Dales. She lives on her own and does everything she can to remain independent. Her absolute worst nightmare is to longer be able to look after herself and to be made to leave the home she has lived in for 67 years and in which she shared her life with my Grandfather for nearly 60 of those. Over the years she has seen many people, quite literally, wither and die in various care homes. The sad fact is that the demand for quality care for the elderly in our society vastly outstrips the supply- market forces inevitably mean that those with the ability to pay slightly more often end up in the best homes while those who cannot don't.