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The males and females living entirely alone, as shown in Table
IV, are potentially a greater problem. Should they fall sick, or
suffer an accident at home, there is no spouse or other relative to
care for them. Again, it is apparent from the table how much
greater is the number of women living in these conditions; unfortunately,
the men living on their own are usually far less able to
look after themselves, tending to become dirty and neglectful.

Table V shows the provision of welfare facilities among those
studied during the survey. The total figure given for home-helps is
probably rather higher than actual fact as some of their visits may
be to old couples.

Table VI shows the number of old people requiring National
Assistance. This figure, which represents 49% of those visited
during the survey, is a sad reflection on the adequacy of the
Retirement Pension, particularly as it is known that many more
people should be receiving help but decline, through pride, to accept
"charity" or "relief".

Table VII shows the distribution amongst local authority and
privately owned accommodation of the old people who have been
visited during the year.
Throughout the survey it has been apparent that, in many cases,
the old folk are distressed not by financial need, severe though it
may be, but by the sense that nobody is particularly interested in
their welfare. Although many of the old people are well cared for
by relatives in the neighbourhood, instances do occur where the
relatives shelve all filial responsibility, asserting that it is the "duty"
of the state to look after "worn out" and unwanted parents.
On account of the rapidity with which mental or physical
deterioration may occur, frequent visiting of old people is considered