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In formulating plans for the care of old people, the over-riding
consideration must be for the old people themselves—not for their
relatives. Plans must consider old people in health and in sickness
In health, old people want their own homes; they want to be free
to come and go as they will and to be able to receive their friends
Accommodation is perhaps best provided by including a proportion
of homes for old people in every housing estate. This principle was
adopted by the Council in 1938: the housing development of that
year was small, but six out of thirty-four houses built were designed
for old people. I have not been able to find out the number of old
people living independently in the Borough, but personal experience
suggests that it is considerable.
In sickness we have to rely on the hospitals. Nursing in the
home is not nearly adequate at present for old people living alone.
Acute cases of illness present no difficulty; they can be admitted to
hospital and discharged when cured. But most of the sickness in
old people is due to degenerative changes in the body and its organs,
and for these patients there are only the "chronic wards" of
municipal hospitals. One has only to visit old people to discover
how great is their dislike at the idea of leaving their homes and
entering these institutions: they feel, rightly or wrongly, that once
admitted, they will not see their homes again. Chronic wards are
rather sad places: often overcrowded, often understaffed, and
though kindness is shewn to the patients, the atmosphere is not a
hopeful one. Many cases are admittedly incurable, but with
encouragement, others could often make enough temporary improvement
to be able to return home. The point is of practical importance,
because at the present time, the demand for beds for old people and
the chronic sick in this part of Kent far exceeds the supply. Sick
people are forced to wait in their own homes without adequate help
or attention, and often in great discomfort and pain. More beds for
old people are urgently needed, and with the beds is needed a wicer
and more hopeful outlook
The most difficult matter of all is how to help those who,
though not actually bedridden, yet by the infirmities of age, are
unable entirely to look after themselves. Perhaps the domiciliary
nursing services to be created under the National Health Act, with
the assistance of a more adequate system of " home helps " will be
able to assist in this problem.
I should like to express my thanks to the members of the
Health and Welfare Committee for the couitesy and help they
have extended to me, and to record my appreciation of the loyal
and efficient service given by every member of the staff of the Public
Health Department.
INFANTILE MORTALITY.
The number of deaths of infants under the age of twelve months
was 37 as compared with 22 in 1945. The Infantile Mortality Rate
for the year was 28.571 per 1,000 live births.
The following table shews the causes of death in 37 cases for
which full records exist.
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