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139
Undoubtedly the question of hospital admission or removal
to residential accommodation has to be considered on occasions,
but experience shows that the vast majority of the elderly wish to
remain independent in their own familiar surroundings for as long
as possible. That is why community care should be comprehensive
and should have a strong preventive emphasis. The theme running
through the descriptions of these various services is the interdependence
of all engaged in this work. No section or facet can
be considered in complete isolation and no elderly citizen should
be denied the advice and support of any individual or organization
which might have a contribution to make. The department is
confident that the services being provided are well balanced and are
meeting the immediate needs.
The future will undoubtedly see a high proportion of citizens
in the higher age groups and understandably therefore, in spite of
the progress of science and medicine, more elderly will develop the
infirmities of great age. This will require an extension of our
services along certain lines relevant to the circumstances. This
planned development is already under way and reasonably accurate
estimates of our future needs can be made for the next ten years.
In recent years, with the growth of modern standards of living,
the need for community care has increased considerably. There are
some 30,000 residents in the Borough aged 65 years and over and
it is anticipated that in 10 years' time this number will have risen
to well over 36,000. Furthermore, the proportion of very old is
increasing rather more rapidly than the actual numbers of aged as
a whole and it is estimated that by 1976 there will be more than
12,000 people aged 75 years and over resident in the Borough. As
has been mentioned, all signs point to the need to expand our
services to meet the challenge of the 1970's. Accordingly, during
1965, the Council formulated its plans for the orderly expansion of
the health and welfare services over the next ten years in anticipation
of the expected demand.
Fortunately, only about one quarter of our elderly residents are
in need of immediate local authority health and welfare assistance.
However, through loneliness resulting from the loss of a relative or
close friend, a larger number would most benefit from companionship
and recreation.
Some of the health and welfare services are differing ways of
meeting the same need and the Council's aim is to improve still