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it is impossible, as is so often the case, to secure the admission to
hospital of an old person who is either very infirm or suffering
from some chronic ailment, the position of the relatives, where
there are relatives, requires consideration. Quite apart from those
old people who are living alone, there are many old people who are
being looked after in their own homes by relatives. The Home
Nursing and Home Help services provided by the County Council
are certainly able to help, but the strain will always remain with
the relatives, both by day and by night. When a relative accepts
this responsibility in the fullest possible measure, and where the
infirmity or illness of the elderly person continues for months and
sometimes for years, it need scarcely be said that an enormous
strain is placed upon the health of those who are doing their best
to look after the old person at home. Very often, these relatives
have a breakdown in health, sometimes so severe that admission
to hospital is required. If the geriatric services provided locally
were such that old people could be got into hospital at an early
date, and if there were even some arrangement whereby old people
could be admitted to hospital for a short period, in order to give
the person looking after them a break or even a short holiday,
this would undoubtedly ease the burden. This is yet another
matter which is being stressed with the appropriate Regional
Hospital Board, in an effort to discover whether something along
these lines can be arranged as a matter of very real urgency.
Care of the Aged.
The remarks which I made in my Annual Report for 1956
regarding care of the aged generally apply equally today. Here is
a field in which so very much can and should be done. As I write
this report it is highly probable that the Southgate Old People's
Welfare Committee will be strengthened and in a position to
undertake much wider functions in the very near future. From
what I know of the Old People's Welfare Committee, of which
I have the privilege to be a member, I am convinced that these
extended duties will be eagerly accepted. An attempt is at present
being made to endeavour to assess the needs of old people living
in the Borough, to place these needs in some order of priority, and
to take such steps as are practicable to ensure that the needs are
met. It need scarcely be said that the Borough Council has always
taken the greatest interest in the welfare of its old folk. This is
an almost classic example of the way in which a statutory body
such as a Borough Council can co-operate with a voluntary committee,
to improve the lot of those members of the community who
are in such dire need of assistance.
Much, of course, is already being done. The great work
carried out by the Old People's Welfare Committee has already
been mentioned. One must also remember the magnificent
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