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(23)
A brief note on the conditions of two of the old people vis ite d
during the year may be of interest:-
Case A. 70 odd; completely deaf, frail and unsteady in gait; Living
in two rooms, but occupying only one.his landlady reported that
he kept falling down six or seven times a day and was unable
to cook, clean or care for himself. He left the water tap
running, having flooded the room below on several occasions.
When visited he was found in a very neglected and
unwashed condition, wearing only a thin cotton shirt on a bitterly
cold day.The room occupied was in a dirty and disorderly
state and literally packed and stocked with books, many of
which were first editions. There was also an abundance of
pictures of horses and football teams all stacked to some feet
high. A broken wire mattress spring propped up on books
served as a bed, while one tattered blanket and an old overall
was his only bedding.
He was persuaded to enter a home for old people and after
a stay of some months returned to occupy one room on the ground
floor of the same house, having disposed of some of his collection
of books and pictures.
Case B. 72 years old; had a three-roomed flat but used only one
room. The sub-tenant complained that she made noises, prowling
around this room at night, keeping the other members of the
household awake. She did not feed herself properly, would not
buy matches, bread etc. She received the Old Age Pension but
no Supplement. The sub-tenant cooked meals for her and provided
her with other necessaries, small sums of money etc. but
was tired of so doing and appealed to the Town Hall.
A visit was made and the old lady found to be in an unwashed
and unkempt condition, Her room was dusty and unclean.
She seldom changed her garments and slept in a chair in the
room.
It was necessary to report her to the Duly Authorised
Officer with a view to certification, and she was removed to
hospital, where it was discovered that her handbag contained
£4,000.