Great 'What discounts can I get now I'm over 60?' Hunt

Steve_xx

zygurat789 wrote: »

Not so, they are prone to cataracts which, while developing, impair vision.

Yes, what you say is true, but even this can be corrected to driving standard. and, of course it can be removed and if it is removed the vision is then often better than for a younger person.

zygurat789

Steve_xx wrote: »

Yes, what you say is true, but even this can be corrected to driving standard. and, of course it can be removed and if it is removed the vision is then often better than for a younger person.

It can be corrected, but, they won't correct it until it has become worthwhile to do so. The result is that there are lots of people driving with impaired vision, which is deteriorating, for years until they have the op.

Optimist

After visiting Fountains Abbey this week I was all prepared to join the National Trust but I find not only do they not have discount for seniors they do not do memberships for seniors either (well you have to pay 5 years full price first)

Happily we were with friends from Scotland who told us that the Scottish NT does give seniors discount and given they have reciprocating agreements it looks like the Scottish NT is the best bet if you are over 60 and want to join....

Steve_xx

zygurat789 wrote: »

It can be corrected, but, they won't correct it until it has become worthwhile to do so. The result is that there are lots of people driving with impaired vision, which is deteriorating, for years until they have the op.

If a driver presented to their optician, indicating that they were having difficulty, then at that point they would be referred and the cataract removed.

nedmundo

Steve_xx wrote: »

If a driver presented to their optician, indicating that they were having difficulty, then at that point they would be referred and the cataract removed.

That depends on where you live. Some PCTs now enforce strict visual criteria before funding cataract surgery - Cutbacks and all that.

In one of my counties, the vision must be 6/18 or worse

zygurat789

Steve_xx wrote: »

If a driver presented to their optician, indicating that they were having difficulty, then at that point they would be referred and the cataract removed.

The deterioration is slow and gradual and is not, therefore, noticed readily. It is only when you realise you now have to sit with your back to a window or under a bright light to read, that it is apparent that there is a problem and then the optician says it is early days!!!

Steve_xx

nedmundo wrote: »

That depends on where you live. Some PCTs now enforce strict visual criteria before funding cataract surgery - Cutbacks and all that.

In one of my counties, the vision must be 6/18 or worse

Yes you're right. Seems like things are going backwards in that respect for certain counties.

Steve_xx

zygurat789 wrote: »

The deterioration is slow and gradual and is not, therefore, noticed readily. It is only when you realise you now have to sit with your back to a window or under a bright light to read, that it is apparent that there is a problem and then the optician says it is early days!!!

Yes, the onset is gradual. But, poor sight is not solely attributable to the aged who may develop cataract. Lots of young people drive on the roads when in fact they may be short-sighted, but are too vain to admit their need for spectacles!

LittleVoice

Optimist wrote: »

After visiting Fountains Abbey this week I was all prepared to join the National Trust but I find not only do they not have discount for seniors they do not do memberships for seniors either (well you have to pay 5 years full price first)

Happily we were with friends from Scotland who told us that the Scottish NT does give seniors discount and given they have reciprocating agreements it looks like the Scottish NT is the best bet if you are over 60 and want to join....

£829.50 is the cost of NT life membership for an individual aged 60+, whereas under 60s would pay £1,260. Joint memberships also available.

chequers10

Ypaymore wrote: »

On the Travel front you can get

Half price fares on National Express.
http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/offers/routesixty.cfm

Cheaper Train Fares if you buy a senior rail card.
http://www.senior-railcard.co.uk/

and last but not least Free Local Bus Travel.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/TravelAndLeisure/TravellingAtHomeAndAbroad/DG_10026845

Got this email from National Express today.
Important news on the concessionary fares scheme


As somebody who has used the Government's half price coach ticket scheme, we want to give you some important information.

The scheme currently provides up to half price travel for over 60 year olds and disabled people through Government funding.

The Government has announced that this funding will end on 31 October 2011 as part of its spending cuts programme.

While we are looking to introduce a replacement scheme, without the government funding it is not possible to make discounts as high and the cost of travel will increase for you.

We have written to the Government to ask that they reconsider this decision. We have also written to a number of MPs to raise our concerns. Many MPs have told us they agree and have written to ministers at the Department for Transport to ask them whether they have considered the potential impact on eligible passengers' ability to travel.

From your letters and emails, we know that many of you rely on the half price fares. Some have also expressed concern that without it, they may not be able to travel. If you share these concerns, perhaps you could write to, or email, your local MP to encourage them to raise your concern with the Department for Transport.

If you wish to write to your local MP we have included a letter template that you may want to use, simply add your details, print and send.

Download Letter Here >>>

We will be in touch soon with more information on how you can take advantage of the half price travel scheme before it ends.

Yours Sincerely,

I use this concession a lot so will be sending a letter to my MP.