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in a final effort to press him to agree to go into a home the neighbour
and niece both ceased to care for him and home help assistance was at
once given and a representative from the Old People's Welfare Committee
took over management of his financial affairs. As his physical
condition had improved he was then able to remain at home reasonably
happily for another two months, but when his condition again began
to deteriorate application was made to the Health Committee for
authority to apply to the Court for a Removal Order. Before an
application could be made, however, it was considered necessary to
proceed under the National Assistance (Amendment) Act of 1951 for
an Emergency Order and he was removed to a Welfare Home but
unfortunately died at the age of 86 eight days later.
Other cases investigated by the Department included the following:—
Mr. "A", a man of 87 years who was reported to the Department
by the Welfare Officer as his living conditions were extremely bad.
He was found to be fairly alert mentally although frail physically; his
dirty bed was covered with a single dirty blanket and the room was in
a deplorable condition. His income consisted of a retirement pension
and assistance from the National Assistance Board. He was not
suitable for a welfare home and after much persuasion agreed to go
into hospital. As it was obvious after a short time that he would
never be fit to return home alone arrangements were made for the
disposal of some of the contents of the room and the remainder was
collected for destruction.
Miss "B", a woman of 82 years. The dirty condition of her rooms
was reported by another tenant. On inspection it was found that
the condition of her rooms was dirty and disordered. She was
personally very dirty but for her age quite active. Her income consisted
of a retirement pension and a small pension from her former
employer. As the weather was rather cold she was sleeping on an
old mattress On the floor in front of an unguarded gas fire. It took
much persuasion before she would agree to having a home help
and she would not allow her bed to be brought downstairs from the
bedroom. Her home conditions improved considerably after the
provision of a home help but a few months afterwards she was found
to have fleas, and there were bugs in the bedroom. The home was
disinfested, the woman cleansed and new bedding supplied; the
opportunity was taken to destroy the old mattress.
Mr. and Mrs. "C", 86 years and 65 years respectively. A complaint
was received from a friend that they were living in bad conditions
and needed help. Arrangements were made for Mr. "C" to
be admitted to a home but he discharged himself after a short time
as it was too far from his wife. Further complaints were received
and on inspection it was found that conditions were now very bad.
A home help was provided daily and the old people co-operated as
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