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One of the biggest problems the aged have to face is that of idleness
and loneliness. Kindly neighbours do a great deal of voluntary duties
in visiting and assisting aged persons living alone, but often the only
caller is the Home Help.
Many old people become depressed and apathetic and will not
make any effort to join in social activities outside their own homes.
Sometimes they vigorously resist the offer of social services they sorely
need, and in many cases patient and understanding contact is required
to help without offending.
PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICE
Under the National Health Service Act, the Romford Health Area
Sub-Committee of the Health Committee of the County Council
controls the day-to-day administration of the Maternity and Child
Welfare Service, Domiciliary Nursing, etc. Details of these services
and of the work carried out are given below:—
CARE OF MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN
Ante-Natal Care. Of the 932 mothers confined at home during the
year, 841 received ante-natal care from their General Practitioners.
181 mothers attended the ante-natal Clinics, 90 of whom were confined
at home.
Ante-Natal Instruction Classes
Incomplete understanding of the process of childbearing can give
rise to the development of a state of anxiety and apprehension in a
mother during her confinement. This in turn creates tension which
causes much of the discomfort and pain of childbirth. The overanxious
fearful mother will tend to have a more painful labour than her
more placid neighbour.
An increasing number of expectant mothers are now demanding
that they should be instructed, as a part of ante-natal care, in the changes
taking place in their bodies so that they can adopt a relaxed state of
mind during pregnancy and parturition.
Health Visitors now hold classes for expectant mothers at three
Centres in the town where instruction in the process of pregnancy and
labour is given, and exercises are taught in order to help mothers rest
and relax during labour. Such preparation is well worthwhile not only
for emotional reasons but also because it helps greatly in conserving
a mother's energy for the physical efforts which the process of parturition
demands.
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