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Referrals to General Practitioners for further treatment were
mainly for hypertension, visual and hearing defects and depression.

Problems discussed at the Clinic covered a wide range—domestic
worries, financial troubles and anxieties regarding ill-health. One
lady was worried about the action she should take regarding her
son who was a drug addict. An old gentleman was reluctant to ask
for a hearing aid because he thought it would be in the form of a
large ear trumpet. Some old ladies, whose mobility was impaired
by arthritis, were advised against carrying kettles of boiling water
around at bath time and were referred to the Borough's bathing
centres. A 74-year-old lady, who was referred to the Chiropodist,
had such painful bunions that she had to walk up her stairs backwards.
A number (7.6%) were lonely and depressed. One had
contemplated suicide.
The number of old people attending the Geriatric Advisory
Clinics was diminishing (135 in 1967). Those who did attend were
enthusiastic and encouraged their friends to come along as well.
The fall in numbers during the year may have been partly due to
the cancellation of some Clinics at the early part of the year during
reorganisation of the Borough's Community Services but frequently
the Clinic sessions did not have their full quota of old people.
In order to increase the numbers and to reach apparently-healthy
old people, it was necessary that there was good publicity regarding
the Geriatric Advisory Clinics at all old people's clubs and organisations.
It was hoped that during the coming year these sources
could be drawn on to a greater extent.