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the only factor to be considered and that they could
help by sitting with the patient occasionally or by
arranging an outing by car, by pushing the invalid
chair, or giving a little financial help which would
lighten the task in some way. I am glad to say that
this attitude more frequently arises out of sheer
thoughtlessness than from deliberate unkindness or
callousness, and when it is pointed out to a large
family that one member has been carrying more than
the fair share of a burden, the remainder generally
respond.
The most difficult type of visiting is that which
results from complaints from members of the same
household or neighbours about the old persons antisocial
behaviour or dirty habits. These too usually
arise from senility but the average citizen knows
little about it unless they experience it within their
own family circle. Many sons and daughters come to
me in great distress labouring under an impression
that their parentis suffe ring some very rare changes
and is mental. They begin to fear mental instability
in the family and to look for it within themselves.
When I explain that these changes are common among
persons of advanced years, they are much relieved.
Of the 300 persons interviewed, about one third
were relatives who came to discuss difficulties
arising out of senility. In many cases the old persons
themselves came to have a chat about their seriously
failing memory or their inability to rise to the standards
of cleanliness which were formerly their habit.
The remaining interviews were mainly concerned
with housing problems. There were persons whose
landlords wish to gain possession of the property to
sell it, persons living with younger generations of
their family who find the noise of teenagers, or the
lack of privacy, unbearable; others living alone who
find the extreme silence insupportable, or who worry
about the expenses, the uncultivated garden, etc.
They all think that they want a little old age pensioners
flat. For many it would be the ideal thing but as
the demand is so much greater than the supply, in
most instances I advise and encourage them to make
the best of their present accommodation.