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The social aspect and. the part played by voluntary organisations
is described by the Chief Welfare Officer in Part VI of this report.
Approximately two-thirds of the total number of persons receiving
home nursing are over 65 years of age and over 90^ of those receiving
chiropody treatment under the Council's scheme are elderly. The home nurses
are much assisted by a scheme for the laundering of bed linen from
incontinent patients, nearly the whole of these resources being needed
for elderly persons. 64% of persons supplied with home help are over the
age of 65 years.
There is thus a very considerable proportion of available
resources for domiciliary care being directed towards thehealth and welfare
of old people. Additionally, a geriatric health visitor is attached to
St.Helier Hospital Geriatric Unit providing an essential link between the hospital
and Local Authority Service and mental health social workers devote a
portion of their time to work with the elderly who are mentally ill.
Nevertheless considerable expansion will be necessary in the future to cater
for the increasing numbers of elderly persons in need of domiciliary care
and to improve existing standards.
The disadvantages of increasing disability can be very much reduced
by the provision of suitable housing accommodation, particularly when this is
provided with the support of a house-mother or warden to be responsible for
the general welfare of those under her care. 324 are to be provided during
the next 5 years. By this means disabilities which might otherwise necessitate
residential care are overcome and the demands made upon places in hospitals
and old people®s -homes are reduced. The Council's plans for increasing the
number of flats and flatlets for elderly and handicapped persons will undoubtedly
make a significant contribution towards the solution of this problem but the
actual number which will be required to strike a proper balance between the
differing types of provision necessary in hospital, old people's homes and
housing provision is problematical.
With the services for the care of the elderly in a formative stage,
there is a need to consider what new developments are necessary to supplement
those already in progress. Advisory Health Clinics to detect unsuspected disease
to maintain health and advise on social problems have been started in some areas
with the object of assisting in the prevention of mental and physical deterioration
and it is hoped to provide similar centres in the Borough during 1966. With
the limited services available perhaps insufficient thought has yet been given
to assisting families to provide for their elderly relatives to a greater extent
than is now possible. This might take the form of financial or domestic assistance,
expansion of the present arrangements for the temporary care of old people to
enable families take their holiday or have occasional freedom for leisure
activities, assistance with laundering of bed linen and a greater number of
day centres where care is available during the day. Opportunity for gainful
employment to a greater age would also contribute as would preparation for
retirement by earlier awareness of the changed way of life which advancing years
involves and the need for new interest and activity to provide healthy
stimulation for body and mindo
Our community is not yet geared to the situation created by
increased longevity in which it finds itself. It is necessary not only for
services to be expanded but also for individuals themselves to be aware of
their increased expectation^ of life and,with assistance from statutory and
voluntary services, to plan their future accordingly.
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