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chimney smoked so badly as to make it impossible to have the fire on. The
table had on it a filthy cover, and on that two or three milk bottles, only one
partly consumed. A neighbour told me that a few days previously she had put
24 unopened milk bottles outside. All the milk was sour. Some bread in the
cupboard was mouldy and unfit to eat. The smell in this room was sickening;
mice were running over the floor.
This poor creature, although able to get about was severely deteriorated.
She had lost the ability to keep herself clean or provide herself with the ordinary
necessities of life, so that she was starving from neglect. Her memory was
almost completely gone; she could not remember whether she had ever been
married or had any children. She spent most of the day wandering aimlessly
round the block, at other times she just stayed in bed and it was difficult to
get her roused. She refused any voluntary assistance, so we had to get a Court
Order to remove her to a hostel.
Failing Strength.
This example is, of course, an extreme case, but it illustrates the dangers
which old people may often be subject to when they live alone. If for any
reason the old person comes to lose the care of the family or wife or other
associates, then for even relatively trivial causes, the deterioration in mental
and physical powers rapidly becomes extreme. Every year the proportion of
old people in the country is getting higher. It would be a fair estimate to say
that in the Borough at present there is at least one old person to every six
younger adults; a proportion may well be nearer one to five.
Two-thirds of those over 65 do not need any help; one-tenth are confined
to the house and are, for the most part, beyond help; about a quarter have
limited powers of movement outside. They manage to look after themselves at
home, and some even manage to continue at work. They do their best to
preserve their independence on a diminishing reserve of physical strength;
both husband and wife often have to combine to get through the ordinary
domestic duties. These people are already on the downward path. They suffer
mostly from rheumatism, failing hearts, senile weakness, painful feet, dizziness,
incontinence (in women), and the effects of strokes. About half the women suffer
from painful feet, which limits their usefulness. The prevention of this item
alone, would avoid much needless waste of potential effort.
Preventing the Weakness of Old Age.
Although a great many of these people can look after themselves quite
well, there is nevertheless a growing strain amongst the others who are concerned
in looking after them. A great deal can be done to lessen this strain.
The first thing is to keep the old men and women active as long as possible.
Relatives should not readily adopt the attitude of mind which encourages
grandmama to sit by the fire all day long in the belief that she is not able to do
anything. Grandmama loves sitting by the fire all day long, but it is not good
for her. She would be much better employed doing some dusting and cooking
and shopping and taking her share in all the activities of the household.
Grandpapa should go on working long after he has drawn his pension. Employers
might be encouraged to continue the employment of these men on tasks suited
to their physical strength and at rates of wages adjusted accordingly. When
because of some infirmity the ability of the old person to pursue a life of normal
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