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185
need of permanent care. Because these agencies are afraid that
they will be left "holding the baby", disposal often assumes
greater importance than help or treatment—rather a question of
a welfare or hospital bed than the solving of a personal problem.
In our deliberations on the geriatric problem we must draw a
distinction between the prolongation of the period of healthy old
age and merely adding years to life. Experiments have proved
that tissue culture's from human embryonic cells multiply for about
50 generations, after which they die. Does this mark the limit of
natural and primitive cellular survival, and ought we to strive to
extend it?
In attempts to ease the problem of the feeble and disabled old
person, Day Hospitals are becoming increasingly popular. An
eminent Professor of Geriatric Medicine has advocated one place
for every 4,500 population, a figure which is variable according
to the age structure of the area involved. Suitable patients would
be drawn from those suffering from strokes, arthritis, fractures
and various cerebral degenerations with the object of providing:—
(a) Rehabilitation.
(b) Physical Maintenance.
(c) Social Care (when not available elsewhere).
(d) Various Medical and Nursing procedures.
Although expensive to establish and operate these day hospitals
will free valuable beds but, above all, they will enable old people
to live where they most want to remain—in their own homes.
Our views as to how the geriatric problem should be met have
been outlined at length and on numerous occasions but do we
really know what the elderly themselves want? Although not
instituted specifically for this purpose, a recent investigation
carried out by the Department of Biological Studies, University
of Surrey (to which Greenwich contributed some data), revealed
some indications as to the opinions of old people. In preparation
for a larger future study this pilot survey, involving some 306
people of all social classes, concerned the problems facing persons
over 65 years living alone but who were in contact with welfare
authorities. The group, of whom one third had no children and
a further quarter only one child, consisted predominantly of
women (84%) and nearly two-thirds of the total found travelling
inconvenient mainly on account of walking difficulties. Over one
half declared an income of less than £400 per year and 87% less
than £600 of which an average of 61 % was spent on food and
accommodation. Those requesting improved facilities listed shops,
public transport and libraries as of major importance. One third