The NZ Herald article ‘Unwary residents caught in villages' rules trap' on March 16 has got to be highly commended, both for the courage and unfortunately the horrible truth in the way senior citizens are robbed by these operators of retirement villages.

New Zealand has got to be ashamed of the way these villages are operated and the shameful profits they make from the generation who gave this country so much.

As a senior citizen myself, both politicians and district councils continue to increase our rates and the cost of living goes up weekly.

The price of meat is becoming beyond those of us on a pension and/or can no longer afford to buy the necessities of life.

When we were young, times were tough following World War 2. We learned to budget within our incomes. Politicians and councillors could take a lesson from us, in managing finances. Sometimes we're made to feel the only use senior citizens are to society is providing shareholders of aged care facilities with an annual profit.

Otherwise, I'm convinced society would find a way to terminate everyone over age 60, much like the television show ‘Logan's Run'.

Our age disqualifies us from receiving essential surgery and treatments. We're the first to be knocked off surgical waiting lists, if we ever actually get on them in the first place. We're also easy targets of home invasions, sexual and physical assaults and financial scams.

Society used to value the elderly for their wisdom and life experiences. Now we're unvalued, disrespected and abused.

Just as undervalued are those employed to care for the elderly. Perhaps multinational organisations should consider spending some of their profits paying staff better wages?

J L Taylor, Te Puke.