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choose to leave it to 'someone else' or face up to the moral
responsibility of a frequently exacting nature is a matter of
individual choice. Fortunately a great majority of relatives do
accept their responsibilities but are not always aware of the help
they can be given in the form of equipment, which helps to lighten
the burden.
Varying standards of hygiene and habits are frequently a matter
of concern to relatives and visitors especially amongst the elderly
living alone. Little success will be achieved in trying to enforce
personal standards, especially where facilities are limited. Any
improvement that may be possible must of necessity be of a gradual
and persuasive process. The elderly living alone can quite successfully
be allowed to remain happily in their own homes, particularly
if they can be persuaded to take advantage of the available services.
Very few elderly people accept institutional care readily, even for
a temporary period, in order that their relatives or friends can have
a holiday. Once they have accepted such an arrangement, it is
usually reasonably easy to persuade them to accept again when the
occasion arises.
The following are details of two of many similar cases which
were dealt with during the year.
Miss D. Aged 90 years -
Lives alone. A niece had been very attentive until severe ill
health prevented her from giving further assistance, and an
elderly brother although visiting regularly, is unable to give
any material help because of his age. Because of her confused
state at times, and in spite of all the social services
provided, it is doubtful that she could have been allowed to
remain in her own home, but for the continual supervision of
her neighbour. It was possible after much persuasion, to get
her consent for temporary admission to Langthorne Hospital for
one month during the neighbour's absence. This acceptance was
only made possible on the promise that she would return home.
Mr. S. Aged 70 years -
Brought to the notice of the Health Department by his brother's
general practitioner who had arranged admission to hospital for
Mr. S's brother. The two brothers had lived together for many
years and both were unmarried. Mr. S. had chronic suppurating
ulcers of both legs, for which he had been discharged from the
army during 1914/18. Apparently he had not worked since, his
income being derived from investments made by a relative.
Possibly he was supported by his brother who, it was understood,
was a retired schoolmaster. This brother died a few days after
admission to hospital. Mr. S. had had no medical treatment for
many years and was not registered with a general practitioner.
He was ultimately persuaded to enter hospital and after five
months treatment and rehabilitation was able to return to his
own home.