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Change of any kind is challenging be it the result of sickness,
marriage, change of job, ageing or retirement because it calls for
re-adjustment and, ignorance of the role or essential knowledge
needed to carry it out can lead to failure. It may well be that
information is the only therapy required to restore adequate
functioning. Everyone experiences disequilibrium at these crisis
points in life and help at these times often serves to prevent subsequent
breakdown into inadequacy. Today, this problem is one
that is probably more often met with in the lonely, aged person
primarily because the "nuclear" type of family is rapidly becoming
extinct and children of the elderly tend to live in smaller homes
at considerable distances from their parents. Often these parents
have been "victims" of housing schemes and have, in the twilight
of their lives, been moved to completely new areas away from
life-long friends, social activities and familiar environment and
because the accommodation is smaller they have been compelled
to dispose of furniture and personal treasures. All the efforts of
welfare authorities and voluntary organisations cannot replace
these losses. It is no wonder that many of the elderly become
frustrated and confused.
Local authorities have a duty to provide supportive geriatric
services of such a nature as to encourage independence in the
elderly and to promote a healthy, lively interest in the world about
them. What is needed or relevant to the elderly with diminished
physical and/or mental activity can be assessed accurately only
by skilled, diligent visiting. Great emphasis is therefore placed
by this department on this aspect by ensuring that it is carried
out by highly qualified officers with considerable nursing
experience for, undoubtedly, the relationships established at the
initial visit can make the difference between success and failure.
Some remarks made last year concerning future prospects in
this field will bear repetition.
Of all the social problems likely to face the country within the
next two decades, that of the "retired" elderly will be the greatest
and not only in numbers. Retirement, especially on the scale
already presaged, is a comparatively modern phenomenon and
there is no previous experience or "know-how" upon which to rely
for guidance.
Future geriatric problems will be legion but we must not wait for
them to descend haphazardly upon us before attempting to deal
with them. If we do, the transition from the active elderly to the
incapacitated or disorientated old person will be precipitate,
socially costly and personally tragic.
The necessity for "vision" was never more clearly demonstrated.