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27
Any inadequacy of any one of the above services tends to
make the social problem more grave, e.g., the lack of hospital
beds places an additional strain upon the domiciliary service for
the aged sick left at home. At all times there must be an
inter-relationship between all those concerned, whether it be
voluntary service or statutory provision, if this care of the aged
is to be reasonably complete.
When considering this problem it is perhaps more simple
to classify the aged into groups and then deal with the provisions
for each group separately-bearing in mind that there is constant
interflow between each group.
Broadly speaking, the classifications are as follows:-
1. Old people who are fit and well and are not dependent
upon outside assistance.
2. Those who are in reasonably good health but who require
help of some nature if they are to remain at home.
3. Those who, through advanced age, are too feeble, either
physically or mentally, to cope with the battle for
existence.
4. Those who are chronically sick and need expert medical
treatment in hospital or nursing home.
Group 1.
Though the first group is, perhaps, the easiest to deal with,
it must be remembered that they too will inevitably feel the
toll of years and will come to swell the ranks of the other groups.
Old People's Clubs are doing much to dispel the boredom and
loneliness which might otherwise hasten the deterioration of the
mental and physical health of the people in this category. In
Bromley, there are eight of these Clubs which are well run and
well attended. The total membership is over a thousand, which
figure is indicative of the popularity of this venture. They have
proved their value in giving old people opportunities to meet
their own contemporaries at a place where they can be sure of
a warm welcome and friendship and it may well be that, in the
case of a good many elderly people, the days of the Club's
meeting are red letter days in what is otherwise a monotonous
and lonely life.
Recently, a holiday scheme was inaugurated by his Worship
the Mayor, whereby, during the " off holiday season " an aged
fit person can receive a holiday at Margate at half the usual
weekly cost. It is expected that this scheme will operate during
May and October and arrangements will be made with the help
of the Women's Voluntary Services, through the Old People's
Clubs.