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GERIATRIC CLINIC - Porters Avenue Clinic
A Geriatric Clinic opened at Porters Avenue Clinic in 1968 and five
courses were held in that year. Each course lasted six weeks and the number
of attendants was limited to 12-15 persons. This seemed to work very well,
in that, smaller groups helped to form a more intimate atmosphere. At each
session films were shown and talks were given about nutrition, footcare, social
services, accidents at home and other topics which seemed to be of interest to
the group. The participants were offered a medical examination if they wanted
one. At the end of each course a film about exercises for the elderly was shown
and discussions were held about the benefits of the course.
45 persons asked for a medical examination but only 43 were examined since
2 were under hospital investigation at the time.
The medical records revealed some data which may be of interest;
43 Total number examined 28 Married and living together
15 Males 11 Females and 1 Male living alone
28 females 3 Females living with relations
Ages: 66-81 years, except for one couple aged 56 and 57 both under treatment
for "nervous breakdown" for years. 30 consulted G.P.'s regularly or
very recently, 9 for longer than three months. Amongst them was a lady with
a blood pressure of 240/l40 and arrhythmic pulse of 120 per minute. She had
not seen her G.P. in the last two months because she had been feeling "very
well indeed". 4 had not consulted their G.P.'s for more than one year.
12 were overweight, 8 significantly so (more than 25%)
7 were underweight but not seriously
4 were anaemic, 1 seriously (hb 6l%). She had a vaginal haemorrhage
only two days before the medical examination and although she went to see her
G.P. a few weeks before, she did not bother on this occasion.
Mild deafness was surprisingly not common but 8 were so deaf that it
interfered with normal life. 3 have had National Health Hearing Aids but in
one case it was so useless that the patient did not bother to wear it. This
gentleman was sent to Oldchurch Hospital and his hearing aid was exchanged.
The other patients who were in need of them were also fitted at Oldchurch
Hospital.
Affections of Joints of varying severity 18
Bronchitis 12
Gastro Intestinal disorders 13
1 ca. of Thyroid - 25 years ago
1 ca. Uteri years ago
1 Basal cell ca. still under treatment. Previously had ca. of bowel.
1 ca. Ventriculi several years ago and ca. Mammae - under Hospital care.
Mental Illness 7 (have been or still are under treatment for depression)
Epilepsy 2 (controlled)
T.B. 2 (one is still attending the Chest Clinic but the other
one has been discharged)
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