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is very often such that neither their homes nor their
persons could bo described as hygienic. This, of
course, is very often no fault of the old person, but
merely an indication of the quite intolerable social
conditions which dominate and direct their lives.
The Public Health Department plays its part, in
conjunction with the Area Health Office, in trying to
arrange for the admission of the most deserving old folk
to a home or institution when this is the only course
available. The co-operation between the two departments
is close, and has certainly resulted in easing the burden
of quite a number of old people. We are only too conscious
of our limitations, but we can, and do, take up the
cudgel on behalf of every old person whose needs are brought
to our notice. The problem is increasing, rapidly
increasing. This is a fact which must be faced, and
faced with the utmost determination.
Care of the Aged.
I would like to pay a most sincere tribute to the
work carried out in Friern Barnet by the recently
constituted Old People's Welfare Committee of which I
have the honour to be a member. Although this
Committee has not yet been in existence for many months,
I have had ample opportunity of observing the quality of
its work. There is not the slightest doubt that this
Committee has already made its mark in the district.
It has been becoming increasingly clear that the problems
of old age are many and varied. It is equally clear
that many of these difficulties do not come easily to
light, because of the known pride of old people, who have
no wish to cry their troubles abroad from the housetops.
It is here that the Old People's Welfare Committee is
doing such excellent work. Cases are being investigated;
a comprehensive list of old people is being drawn up;
steps are being taken to ensure that effort is being
directed into the proper channels. In short, active
steps are afoot to establish a system which will mean
that those old folk most in need of help, receive that
help. It will be some time yet before it can be certain
that duplication is substantially reduced or, one hopes
abolished; but when that time arrives there is equal hope
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