To The Reader’s Forum:

Saturday’s Article (July 15, 2017) by Margot Russell ” So You Want To Go To Sweden?” was a delight to read, especially for me, since I just visited there in April. This was my second visit ,and I was just as impressed with the country as was Ms. Russell. My visit was with an elderly cousin who has lived there with her family since marrying a Swede more than 60 years ago.Living in a retirement home near Gothenburg, she receives free services that help her to cope with simple household tasks and shopping. A young lady comes by every day to assist her, asking what she may need that day.

I also found the country to be lovely, the people friendly and helpful, speaking perfect English and glad to assist a visitor. Because I am over 65, and even though not a Swedish citizen, I was able to get free public transportation into the city, where there is a beautiful art museum and a famous symphony hall as well as a large amusement park, Liseberg, similar to the Tivoli in Copenhagen Denmark. Although not as beautiful as Stockholm, Gothenburg is still a city worth visiting.

Sweden is a country that considers Healthcare a right and not a privilege for those who can afford it. It offers universal healthcare to every citizen and even to expats. While we here in the US are squabbling endlessly, debating whether poor people or the elderly should get adequate healthcare, Sweden has provided this for all since 1955. The system covers inpatient and outpatient hospital care, prescription drugs, dental care for children and young people , Public health and preventive services, disability support and rehab services. In addition, homecare nursing and patient transport support services are also covered under the publicly financed healthcare system.

The services provided to its citizens are obtained through high taxes, but the people are happy to pay them, knowing that they benefit them. How civilized!

Though Sweden is very close to Russia, and perhaps understandably nervous about that country, it spends relatively little on its military, especially when compared to the U.S. In fact, the US military budget is 102 times higher than that of Sweden. Again, how civilized!

Those Swedes: ” They know a thing or two!”

I agree with Margot Russell that “Sweden is the sort of magical journey you expected it would be. ”

So, what are you waiting for?

By Renate Bob

Jamestown