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Advances in medical knowledge have meant that older
ages are being achieved, but also a more significant fact
that now the great majority of our population do reach
old age instead of dying in their prime or middle age.
Doubtless future legislation will acknowledge this fact
but meanwhile it is opportune to review the not inconsiderable
volume of work that is done in Ealing for old folk,
both by the statutory and voluntary services.
The spearhead of the Health Department in this respect
is formed by the health visiting, home nursing and home
help services.
The Health Visitors are concerned with ascertaining
the needs of old people and reference of these to the
appropriate quarter. Some 500 old people are at present
under surveillance by Health Visitors,
Of the cases on the register of the Home Nursing Services
40% are aged 6 5 years of age or over and due to the
complexity of these cases much more than 40% of the home
nurses time is spent caring for old people. The Home
Nursing Service works in close co-operation with the
patient's doctor in the care of those sufficiently well
to be treated at home.
The Home Help Service numbers 200 in Ealing and undertakes
all types of work in the home except nursing. The
homes of many old people have, due to their owners infirmity,
become very uncared for before help is sought and
the enthusiasm with which the Home Helps restore this
situation to normal is greatly to be commended.
The Public Health Inspectors also assist in maintaining
satisfactory conditions for old people and ensure
that should an old person not be receiving proper care
and attention steps shall be taken to admit such persons
to an Old People's Home or hospital.