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44
WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW
But we do not know the number of old people who may be leading
lonely lives at home, some neglected even by their own children living nearby;
and it is such lonely old folk who require and deserve all the help, comfort and
companionship that can be given to them.
In spite of the occasionally apparent diminution in family and filial
responsibility, there is at the disposal of many lonely old people a heartening
fund of neighbourly goodwill and Christian charity dispensed with no thought
of recognition or hope of reward. The gratitude shown by lonely old people
for any small act of kindness or companionship bears the hall mark of sincerity
and it is often moving in its warmth; but even abounding goodwill is not
enough, and there are old people—of whom many have done much for their
country and their families during times when little public help was available—
deserving of all the public help that can now be given them without prejudicing
the needs of the younger members of the community. Goodwill abounds—
the limiting factor is money, or rather the lack of it.
RECOMMENDATIONS
(1) That steps be taken forthwith to put into operation some practicable
scheme of active collaboration between the local authorities (Health,
Housing and Welfare) and the voluntary organisations designed to
minister to the care and comfort of old people at home.
(2) That consideration be given to the adequacy of the present grant by the
Council to voluntary organisations dealing with the care of the aged.
(3) That a register be compiled of all old people in the area who are living
at home.
(4) That the responsible voluntary organisation be notified of all old
people who wish to be visited at home.