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day by the home help to as low a figure as I possibly could, but still he decided
that he could not afford to have her every day; I then reduced the help to three
times a week. A kindly neighbour said she would try to help him to manage his
accounts and look after the financial side. She did this very well so we managed to
keep jogging along for well over a year.
Finally, one morning, the home help tried to get in and could not do so; she
looked in the window, saw him lying on the floor, and heard a faint call. She
decided that she must take action, and quickly called the police who helped to
open the door. They found the old man had fallen down and was in a rather bad
state. It was clear he ought to go to hospital, but he did not want to go. When
the police said we must take you to the hospital he still clung very much to the idea
of remaining in his home. When he got to the hospital he decided he would not
stay and must leave. The hospital doctor said there was apparently nothing
organically wrong with him—I mean by that no bones broken—and that he could
return to his home. However, when he got back to his home he soon lost his
assurance and became really afraid to move from his chair. After that he decided
that he would go into a nursing home; he had a comfortable income and he could
afford to do so. So, finally, he went into a nursing home and he is still doing quite
well; I do not think he will come out, but he is there now and should be very
much happier than living such a very lonely life in his own house.
The home help service operates to serve the needs of the aged and sick who
are unable to manage without some assistance in their homes. The staff is carefully
selected from women experienced in home management and the care of
children.
A course of instruction was begun in 1956 to give home helps some training
in, and further knowledge of their work. The talks cover general hygiene, cleanliness
in the home, and the prevention of accidents; and the main principles of
normal diet, with the special variations needed for the sick and elderly. The
Area Superintendent of Home Nursing Service talks about the special home care
of the aged and sick and the ways in which the nurse's care and treatment may be
assisted by the home help. The Medical Officer talks on some emergencies
more commonly met with in the home and home laundering.
The home help on duty is distinguishable by her golden yellow overall, the
symbol of the service. A quarterly journal is issued to each one: we wish her to
feel she belongs to an important body of workers. She must be encouraged to
maintain the highest standard of work wherever she goes, so that the service will be
esteemed and trusted by all those who need it.
THE ANTE-NATAL CLASSES AT WHITTON
By Miss N. M. Brinkley, Health Visitor
One of the most interesting things that has happened during the last few
years has been the growth in popularity of the ante-natal classes, and the enthusiasm
with which they have been attended. At first we had three or four mothers,
now our average is 16—18, which could often be more if we had the room. They
are held every Wednesday morning.
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