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hospital department, via her own doctor, although reference to hospital is avoided if at
all possible. If all is well it is suggested that the patient should join the 'exercise class'
which meets once a fortnight, and where simple general exercises are carried out in an
attempt to avoid the disabilities associated with age such as stiffness of fingers, weakness
of muscles around knee and ankle and neck stiffness, and in certain cases, breathing
exercises.
Half-time at the 'exercise class' gives the opportunity for a cup of tea and a discussion
on such things as diet, care of dentures, care of feet, mental health etc., and how
best to keep fit in old age, both physically, and what the group realises is most important,
mentally.
In the light of experience gained at the centre I have produced a small booklet,
" Health Hints for the Over Sixties " which deals with:—
Normal Diet
Diet for overweight
Care of dentures
Breathing
The feet
Foot and leg exercises
Neck and shoulder exercises
Finger exercises
Lip, tongue and jaw exercises
Mental health
During 1958, 29 patients whose ages ranged from 61 to 87 years completed their
investigations and in practically all of them the need for chiropodial treatment was
apparent. In many of them two or more disabilities were present at the same time.
One of the most striking things, apart from high frequency deafness which was present
in practically all patients, was the lack of effective hearing. In eight patients this was
apparent and in four of those syringing restored the hearing to a satisfactory level, but
in the four other cases it was necessary to prescribe hearing aids.
Diabetes was brought to light in one old lady of 87 who needed simple diet only.
In five cases, 3 males and 2 females, the patients were grossly overweight (2 or 3 stones)
but it was not possible in three of these to get their co-operation in dieting. In the
other two cases satisfactory results were achieved as instanced by weight loss and resultant
improvement in breathlessness and ' creaking ' knees.
The whole subject of the nutrition of the elderly is one which needs much more
attention. Although in the elderly sick undernutrition is of importance, in the 'well'
elderly over-eating is a not uncommon finding and overweight of variable degree (as
judged by so-called average weights) a common occurrence.
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