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The Council agreed to set up three satellite clinics for elderly persons in addition
to the parent clinic for older people which has been operating for some time at Church
Road Clinic, Teddington. It is proposed to open these satellite clinics during the
financial year 1967/68.
Clinic for Preventive Medicine for Older People.
During the year discussions were held and agreement reached with the Local
Medical Committee and confirmed by the South West London and Surrey Executive
Council on the guide lines for the above Clinic and its closer liaison with family doctors
within the Borough. In general the clinic caters for residents of the Borough who have
attained the age of 55 years.
General.
To assist in the care and guidance of old people, a geriatric health visitor was
appointed part-time and commenced duty on the 21st September, 1966. In addition
a geriatric health visitor was appointed jointly to serve the districts of Richmond,
Kingston and Esher as from 15th August, 1966.
There is an impression from the practical point of view that there are insufficient
hospital and welfare home beds to meet present and future needs. If beds are to be
allocated on a proper basis, homes and hostels for the elderly should not be regarded
as dumps for old people simply because there is no one to look after them. The suggestion
that the old people should be placed in a home or the clinical ward of a hospital,
parted from all their personal treasures and familiar surroundings, may appear to be
an easy solution and a sop to the conscience of relatives and neighbours, but it is
scarcely humane. Many of these old people can and should be cared for in the
community.
Part III accommodation is valuable and expensive and should only be used where
absolutely necessary.
The needs of old people are simple, but they break down and deteriorate sooner
than need be when they are no longer able to cope with the ordinary household chores
of cooking, shopping and keeping themselves and their homes clean and tidy.
In the interests then of prevention how vital is the provision of an adequate home
help service (See page 38—Home Help Service). It has been found that approximately
75% of the Home Help Service is now being used by the elderly and there is an ever
increasing demand which all too often cannot be met. It is part of a preventive programme
that the services of the home help should be available before the break-down
occurs and conditions have deteriorated to such an extent that the home help is
unwilling to work in such conditions, or that the old people have become suspicious,
stubborn, and hostile and access is refused.
One such case, a blind old lady aged 84 years who was living alone in the ground
floor of a house owned by her, was visited by members of the staff in January/February
1966. The rooms were indescribably filthy. She refused to have a fire on, although
there was a gas fire in her bedroom in which she was living. The cold was intense and
indeed she was blue with cold. To keep warm, she kept to her bed which was covered
by a few grubby blankets with no sheets and no pillow cases. Her nightdress was also
filthy, although clean clothing was available in the chest of drawers. The whole room
was completely blacked out by shabby curtains and everywhere was covered with dust
and litter. "Meals on wheels" were provided regularly but they were not eaten and
stinking remains were found in the kitchen and also in the bedroom. The old lady
was very confused and could not remember whether she had eaten or not. She refused
to go into a welfare home. She refused the services of a home help, because her
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