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13
The outstanding points in these figures are the fairly high
proportion of elderly females, 64 per cent, of the total, and the
fact that no children were involved.
One hears much more about Road accidents than accidents
in the Home, but this year again there was only one less fatal
accident to Enfield residents in the home than on the streets, 14
fatal home accidents compared with 15 fatal road accidents. In
the case of road accidents, the proportion of males to females
involved was much greater than that for home accidents, and
the average age was much lower.
The figures I have quoted indicate the continued need for
propaganda to impress on the public the need to take every possible
precaution to prevent accidents in the home, particularly where
the aged are concerned, as an accident resulting in a fall can so
frequently lead to fatal complications. It might not be inappropriate
to mention here the occurrence of 14 cases of suicide, 9 males
and 5 females, ages ranging from 21 years to 65 years; the average
age being 48 years. The method adopted in seven cases was coal
gas poisoning, in one to salicytate poisoning, three males to hanging,
and three females to barbiturate poisoning.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACTS, 1948 AND 1951.
No action was necessary during the year under these Acts with
regard to the removal to suitable premises of persons in need of
care and attention.
Such cases as were brought to the notice of the Health Department
were dealt with by the Medical Officer of Health in cooperation
either with the Medical Practitioners or Welfare Officer,
and the patients voluntarily agreed to go to Hospital or suitable
Institution. Most old people show a natural reluctance to leave
their homes, which sometimes consist of a single room in a dirty
and unhygienic state owing to their inability to look after the
premises. Some should not be living alone, and although we must
not be hasty to criticize, there appears to be in some cases a need
for the awakening of responsibility of the family to its aged members.
In some instances, where reluctance to leave their homes is
encountered, provision of Home Help and District Nurse Services
can be arranged and a careful watch on the situation maintained
by members of the Health Department Staff, and compulsory
removal in the interests of the old person is rarely enforced, as
persuasion usually succeeds in the end.