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cases in the fairest way possible. Recruitment to this service is extremely
difficult, there being so much other part-time work—probably not so
arduous—available in the district. Every opportunity is taken to advertise
the fact that more helpers are needed for this very essential service.
The average number of home helps employed was one full-time and
74 part-time, being an equivalent of 43 full-time home helps.

The heaviest demand comes from the elderly and this is often the
heaviest type of work as so much needs to be done in this type of case.
Cases of home confinement and acute illness of the mother with a young
family receive special priority.
Neighbourly Help Scheme
In several instances it has been possible to enlist the aid of a friendly
neighbour to keep a watchful eye and at the same time carry out a certain
amount of helpful tasks in the home of an elderly or chronically disabled
person. Arrangements are usually made for the help to call several times a
day for short periods, helping out by lighting fires, preparing a meal,
doing some shopping or some other household chore, but most important
of all, keeping in contact with the patient. This system works well and
neighbours are sometimes more willing to do this work for a person they
know, rather than join the general home help service. One important
aspect of this is that the elderly person concerned usually knows the
neighbour quite well and thus an amicable liaison is more easily established.
This can be one of the greatest problems in providing help for the elderly,
who very often are extremely independent and reluctant to accept help,
even though it has reached a stage of being practically a necessity.
During the year. 10 neighbourly helps were engaged for this service,
providing assistance to 23 cases.