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Total 512 cases. 445, i.e., almost 87%, received an average
amount of help of less than one hour per day. The remainder of
the cases had additional help due to being bed-fast or completely
unable to assist themselves.
Present Position.
At the end of the quarter 450 cases were being assisted. Sixtytwo
cases had ceased either temporarily or permanently, either by
relatives taking care of their parent, transfer to hospital, death,
etc., etc.
At the time of preparation of this report there are 449 cases
in this category being assisted.
Chronic Sick (Others).—In the main the cases in this category
are under 65 years of age, and include those suffering from heart
conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, disseminated
sclerosis, etc.
There have been 78 cases assisted during the quarter. One
of the cases commenced in 1948, one in 1949, two in 1950, four in
1951, three in 1952, six in 1953, nine in 1954, 16 in 1955, and 36
in 1956 (first nine months).
The number of weekly hours allocated to the cases was made
up as follows 13 had two hours per week, 24 three to four hours
per week, 23 five to six hours per week, and the remainder eight
to 12 hours per week. The average help granted to these cases is
about five hours per week.
Aged (not sick).—The 23 cases in this category are senility
patients. The age groups are as follows :—
75—80 yrs. 5 cases; 80—90 yrs. 14 cases; 90-plus 4 cases.
Two of the cases commenced in 1950, four in 1951, three in
1952, three in 1954, seven in 1955 and four in 1956.
The total hours expended was 1,794¾, giving a weekly total of
138 hrs. As will be seen, this gives an average of six hours per
case each week, or one hour daily.
Others.—These two cases were assisted due to illness of mother.
One case was assisted for 22 hrs. weekly for a period of four weeks
and the other 42 hours weekly for two weeks.
It is apparent that there is no "ceiling" to this very important
branch of the Health Services in this Area having regard to the great