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Relatives of the old lady had been taking it in turn to come daily
from their own busy homes and minister to her many needs. They
were worn out by the strain.
In consultation with the lady's own doctor certain medical facts
were disclosed in relation to her need for hospital treatment, and,
in view of these facts and the other circumstances of the case, the
Health Department served notice on a hospital that it was intended
to apply to Court for an order of admission. The day before the case
was to be heard in court the old lady was admitted to hospital.
(4) For some time an old lady had been receiving home help.
The home help organiser reported that more care was required than
was possible within the home. On visiting, the old lady was found
to be living alone, almost entirely confined to her one upstairs room,
and often confined to bed. She had inconvenient and even dangerous
access to cooking facilities, sanitation and water supply, while her
fuel store was entirely beyond the reach of her physical powers. On
inspection the room was found to be developing an infestation of
vermin in certain inaccessible places.
This old lady was being cared for early morning, day and
evening, by a home help, a kindly neighbour, and a devoted male
relative who lived and worked some distance away. The neighbour,
a busy woman, was finding the protracted giving of care beyond her
own resources of time and energy.
On making enquiries of the old lady's doctor, he opined that
she should be in a residential home. The old lady's relative informed
us that she had been on the waiting list with this in view
for a period of one year.
The old lady herself seemed unable quite to make up her mind
whether she would indeed go to a residential home, even were the
Area Welfare Officer able to provide an immediate vacancy. As it
was evident that there was no time to be lost, with her relative's
approval, an application was made at court. Within five days of
the application being granted she was admitted to a residential
home.
From past experience it has become clear to the Health Department
that the official powers, functions, and information accorded