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Note: In addition to the 175 above, 11 people lived in or
shared a whole house, 2 lived in flats and 1 in a
maisonette.
Taking only the 126 cases where the floor occupied is known,
one third lived on the first floor, just over a quarter lived on
the ground floor, a quarter on the second, third or "top" floor
and an eighth in the basement. Thus about three-quarters of the
cases had to negotiate at least one flight of stairs.
Turning to the number of rooms occupied there is a large
group where the number was not recorded. But of the 88 where the
information was available 56 per cent, lived in one room only, 30
per cent. in two rooms and the remainder in three or more.
It is encouraging to find that 62 per cent, lived on the
ground or first floor, as it is often assumed that because of the
frequent association of poverty with old age, the old people can
only afford basement or attic rooms. Nevertheless with 25 per
cent, on the second, third or top floor, there is obviously a
real problem of housing. Stairs are undoubtedly one of the
difficulties and hazards of old age, especially if fuel has to
be carried up and if the water supply and the W.C. are situated
on another floor. The problem is further aggravated by the fact
that old people who are merely experiencing difficulty due to
stairs are not in a particularly advantageous position for
rehousing compared for instance with married couples with children
who are over-crowded, short of bedroom space, and who lack
essential housing amenities.
Nearest Relative.
The present younger generation are frequently accused of
neglect or denying their responsibility to their parents, It .
has been argued that whereas in the past there was a legal
responsibility not only for parents to look after their children,