A Guaranteed Nurse

It used to be every family to their own when it came to old people care. When people grew older they would either have one of their children take care of them, or they would pay out of their savings to have someone else's child take care of them. Those who failed to have children or save money for their old age were left exposed, depending on charity for survival.

All this changed with the introduction of the welfare state. All of a sudden, everyone would get taken care of, guaranteed by the state. In return for somewhat higher taxes, everyone was now entitled to a nurse when such a need would arise. It was a great deal. A little higher taxes was a small price to pay for such a guarantee.

Free from worries about the practicalities of old age, people could focus on more immediate needs and wants. People could enjoy themselves and develop interests more freely for longer. As a result, fewer chose to have more than three children, and most postponed family expansion until their mid thirties. There were other more pressing matters, fun and interesting things to do. Besides, the extra taxes paid for the future nurse put a limit on how many children a couple could afford to have.

An increasing number of people spent their money in the now, assuming that the extra taxes were savings enough. Many had no children at all, expecting the future nurse to materialize when needed. However, the number of available nurses is turning out to be far less than initially expected, and the money paid in as taxes has been spent on other political projects. There are neither enough nurses nor enough money to pay for them.

Going forward, the services provided by public old people's care can only deteriorate. There simply aren't enough resources available. The promise of a free nurse was an illusion, a political promise that could not be met for the simple economic reasons outlined above. Nurses do not materialize out of nowhere simply because some politician has mandated it. Those who have neither children nor savings are heading for a dark and uncertain future.