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46
The three aims of health education are:—
(1) To ensure that the community regards health as an asset;
(2) to equip the individual with skills, knowledge and attitudes
to help solve his own health problems;
(3) to promote the development of the health services.
But. more important still, is the application of this knowledge.
It is no easy task, when ingrained habits and customs have sometimes
to be broken down, and personal likes and dislikes, as well
as prejudices and emotions, counteracted.
Success depends not only on expert teaching, but on sympathy,
patience, and the correct approach appropriate to the age, sex,
personality and the social and educational background of those
to whom it is directed.
Advice, guidance and practical help go shoulder to shoulder
with teaching, particularly with regard to the older age groups.
The principles to be adopted to assist older people to preserve
their health and well-being are now better understood, but it is
not always so easy to put them into practice. The large number
of organisations, voluntary and statutory, that are now engaged
in the task of helping them must work together as a united force
towards a common goal. Many old people are difficult, and
peevishness and irritability are faults of character and not of age,
and these people are excusable to some extent, particularly those
who fancy that they are being neglected, despised and ridiculed.
Whatever organised bodies may be doing—and it is gratifying to
see the increasing interest they are taking—it is the public themselves,
the relatives, friends, neighbours and fellow citizens—young
and middle-aged who can accomplish most. They are in the best
position to counteract the mental and physical hazards which
result from a feeling of being "neglected, despised and ridiculed".
When they themselves pass into old age, they will thereby be
better prepared to meet it, and live with it with satisfaction, than
many of the present generation of pensioners who have not learned
to do so.
Practical aid can now be given to those whose working days
are over, especially those who live alone. Help that was almost
non-existent ten years ago, when the word "Geriatrics" first came
into use. The principle that the majority of old folk are best off
at home, has been firmly established, and great efforts have been
made to make the home more suitable. Old People's Welfare
Committees, the Meals on Wheels Service, the Old People's Clubs,
the employment schemes for the elderly are supplying long-felt
needs. More is being done to prevent accidents in the home, which
take a heavy toll of the aged, here again health education and the
co-operation of everybody, as well as the elimination of material
causes in the homes (the unprotected fire, defective gas appliance,
dark staircase or worn carpet) are important.