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4
As a rule the Census is taken at the end of the first quarter.
If it was taken later, summer holiday resorts would show excessive
populations. This year the Census was taken on the 8th April and
it is upon this figure that the Registrar General estimates the mid-
year population. One should note that this year's estimate is
67,540 persons. Of this number 5,272 are children of 0-4 years,
and 7,327 are children of 5-14 years.
The report reveals that, since the beginning of the century,
the percentage of all men over 65 has increased from 6.6 to 9.3,
and the percentage of women in that age group has risen from 8.3
to 12.3, whereas the percentage of adult males (15-34 years) has
declined from 33.8 to 27,9, the percentage of women in the same:
age group has fallen from 33.0 to 26.9 due to the fall in the birthrate.
The most difficult aspect of an ageing population—and this has
been known for some time—is the welfare of old people. Old per
sons who are able to walk and be active are well catered for, but
there is another group who have reached a further stage at which
they are unable to care for themselves and have no relations to
help them. These do not necessarily need hospital care, but do
need someone at the back of them to keep them clean and tidy,
and save them from losing interest in themselves. All old persons
like to feel the rooms they occupy are their homes, however limited
is their physical ability to maintain their surroundings in a tidy
state. For this group of old people an almshouse type of building
is needed, where each person has a bed-sitting-room with means of
making hot drinks and storing food, but where there is also a common
dining-room where one or two meals could be provided for
them. There should also be a resident nurse who is responsible for
the old persons' welfare, and who can supervise the cleanliness of
persons and rooms. Such a type of establishment would, I believe,
help many lonely old persons to live out the twilight of their lives
contentedly.
The figures for immunisation against diphtheria are set out in
the body of the report, as also are the School Health Services returns
for the Borough.
I should like to take this opportunity of expressing to the staf
of the Public Health Department my appreciation for their co
operation and loyalty throughout the year.
I remain,
Your obedient Servant,
George E. B. Payne