Britain's Forgotten Pensioners | Dispatches | Channel 4 Documentaries

One in five pensioners - 2.1 million people - live in poverty in the UK. Dispatches follows four older people through the winter as they struggle to make ends meet.

Includes discussions of mental health and suicide.

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[roseanncampbell]

yet 250+ million was spent on a coronation for 2 over indulged adulterous pensioners, while these hardworking pensioners are neglected. that's disgusting

[christinagiannaros]

That brought me to tears when he cried about not being able to do his woodwork, the thing he loved to do. Loneliness and poverty, terrible.

[CDN]

My heart hurts for elderly people struggling with loneliness and poverty. I just want to hug them and take their hurt away. God bless them all.

[cathygr]

I’m a pensioner on my own in the UK. One of the best ways to combat the cold, is the electric throw (£30) (not an electric blanket) They cost 1 or 2p per hour, and keep me completely warm till I go to bed. My gas bill has been so much lower since.
I feel they should be given out free to pensioners.

[Rat_Queen]

This is why my pensioner mum lives with me and my husband. She only gets state pension.
We support her, as I couldn’t cope with seeing her living like this. I’m so sad for all these people.

[sirfairplay]

Nobody has "forgotten" them, this government is well aware of everything they are doing!

[control]

Our twilight years shouldn't be spent living in the cold and dark, reusing tea bags and leaving milk by the door because you can't afford to turn the bloody fridge on. Hearing John say he lays out his funeral arangements on the sofa before going to bed each night really got me in the feels.

[vplnyrw]

"I don't know what the meaning of the word love is, I wouldn't know how to love somebody." That is so profoundly sad. Poor sweet lady, bless her soul.

[AmandaWRU]

I'm a pensioner, i rarely eat meat or fish, keep the heating and lights off and use a candle and hot water bottles in the winter, no social life, can't afford to go out or have a holiday, I live alone and have cancer. I worked for over 50 years and now live on a pension. I've just been awarded pension credit so things will improve a bit as long as prices don't keep going up. It's still a very small amount to live on. I don't smoke or drink alcohol, don't have a TV, it's no joke being a pensioner in the UK but I will say that I have had excellent NHS care and at least I keep slim eating lots of veg, noodles and rice. My luxury is bottled sparkling water and sometimes a pot of tea in a coffee shop. Loneliness is the worst part of aging

[gpo]

The lady that said she lived in her house for 35 years and in all that time only 2 people have ever knocked on her door made my heart sink.

[elizabethannegrey]

15.37 I am SO pleased to see that this couple, despite their struggles, have managed to retain their cat and a small dog. Pets are the most wonderful companions and comforters in old age. Bless them for their effort to retain a dignified lifestyle in the midst of this catastrophe for the elderly.

[doloressykes]

I cannot believe that the elderly are treated like this. This is horrific.

[kerrypolansky]

When grandad cried because he couldn't make bowls...I can't watch any further. We have the same issues here in South Africa but my heart broke for him😢

[uninsurable]

I’m not rich but I want to buy some heat for these people! Somebody have mercy. Judge a society by how they treat the vulnerable. Shame on the government.

[DigitalDistortion]

Omg . Him laying his funeral instructions out before he goes to bed each night because he has no one left. Broke my heart 💔

[markmarkyyy]

I'm 65 and live in Hawaii. Retired in Dec 2020 and fell in a deep depression and loneliness shortly after. Called a brother on the mainland, called a neighbor that I thought was my friend, and drove down to a local gym to see another guy that I thought was my friend. Cried my eyes out to them. None ever called back. Called a shrink, also no call back. Called suicide hotline twice and got a recording. Saw a social worker dude and he called back the next day, but never again. I'm living proof that reaching out doesn't always help. Thank God I was strong enough to withstand that dark period on my own. Accepted the FACT that some people are indeed destined to go at it alone.

[CornishLiving]

This was a very sad and realistic view into the lives of many pensioners around the UK

[JamieLofthouse]

Our country is an absolute disgrace. These people have paid into a system, that promised them it would look after them, for all their lives. Let down doesn't come close. Every pensioner deserves the right to live their twilight years without poverty. This government is a disgrace.

[lindawitherspoon]

Shame on the British government for letting these people suffer like this. Shame on them.

[capercat]

The gentleman near the end of video laying out important papers has the right idea and kudos to him, especially as he has no relatives left to take care. I’ve spent a career urging people to have such paperwork completed and available to spare others needless grief when they already feel horrible that you’ve died. This chap is very thoughtful of others.