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41
Preparation for retirement should ideally begin years before as it is notgenerally
possible late in life to cultivate new interests and skills. These have to grow from
small beginnings. Every man should have some personal interest in life in addition
to his work and his immediate family affairs. It matters little what this is, be it
bowls, politics, church activities or absorbing hobby, something in which he is
interested and can be cultivated to fill the larger place in his life after retirement
from full-time work.
In many parts of the country both voluntary bodies and enlightened local
authorities have tried to get to grips with this problem and the national press radio
and television have pointed to the necessity for more understanding.
At the end of 1960 a Retirement Advice Clinic was started in Tottenham, to assess
the health of and give advice to men approaching retirement under the direction of my
deputy (Dr. Wright). His clinic has been running steadily now for over a year.
Here in an unhurried atmosphere it is possible to discuss individual problems
(social, financial, welfare, health, diet) and interests, followed by a full medical
check-up. The interview and findings are reported to the retiree's own doctor, but no
treatment is undertaken. The year's findings endorse the fact that most men hope to
find some alternative full or part-time work and also throw light on the general
reluctance of employers to take them. Also, many have minor indispositions of which
they were unaware, or which did not trouble them very greatly. Advice for retirement
is as necessary as school is for children.
Laundry Service for the Incontinent Aged
The service is provided under section 84 of the Public Health Act, 1936, and in
1961 843 collections were made by the Public Health Department, an increase of 143 over
the 1960 figure.
Baths
Free baths are available at the Public Baths for old people, who know that if
they need help they can call upon the Baths Attendants.
Library Service
Housebound old people may obtain upon request regular deliveries of library books
from the Public Libraries. During the year 6,500 books were delivered in this way
and 62 infirm old people are now receiving this service.
Hospital Services
St. Ann's General Hospital has wards providing 100 beds (60 female and 40 male)
for the chronic sick, and the extension of geriatric services is under active
consideration by the hospital authorities. There continues to be a waiting list of
cases requiring hospital admission. Each week notification is sent by St. Ann's
General Hospital of the new names on their waiting list. These cases are visited by
a social visitor on the staff of King Edward Hospital Fund for London and she provides
reports to the hospital on the home circumstances to enable priority to be given to
those cases in most urgent need of hospital care.