London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Bermondsey 1958
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1958
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Table III—Isolation
| Male | Female | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | Total | Living alone | No next of kin | Total | Living alone | No next of kin |
| 50—59 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 3 | – |
| 60—64 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 50 | 28 | 9 |
| 65—69 | 36 | 8 | — | 118 | 42 | 5 |
| 70—74 | 70 | 22 | 6 | 152 | 74 | 5 |
| 75—79 | 67 | 17 | 3 | 133 | 77 | 8 |
| 80—89 | 47 | 24 | 3 | 105 | 67 | 9 |
| 90 + | 1 | 1 | – | 5 | 2 | – |
| Total | 234 | 79 | 15 | 570 | 293 | 36 |
This table shows the large number of old people who do, in
fact, live alone. From the experience already gained, it is known
that these are the very ones who are probably most in need of help.
Particularly significant is the large number with no known relatives
and, therefore, with no one to care for them. Although the number
found at first may appear small, when it is realised that the present
survey figures cover about a tenth only of the aged population then
the seriousness of the problem of old people becomes at once
apparent.