PLIGHT OF OLD PEOPLE

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25551, 20 July 1948, Page 4

PLIGHT OF OLD PEOPLE

ATTEMPTS TO RELIEVE DISTRESS

ACCOMMODATION LACKING IN CHRISTCHURCH The plight of some pensioners in Christchurch will be alleviated by the provision of accommodation for 152 persons at Burnham, which is expected to be ready before Christmas, but many others, particularly those living by tnemselves, will have little conffort from the announcement that tenders are being called for the work. Inquiries made by “The Press” showed that a large number of pensioners, principally widows and widowers, are living in conditions that few know exist. Social service workers described, some of the conditions as “disquieting,” “very bad,” and “appalling.” Institutions in Christchurch provide for no more than 300 age benefit pensioners. Most have long waiting lists, names being taken in some cases only as a formality. Since the shortage of houses began, the homes have* always been full and shortages of staff and high building costs deter most organisations from making extensions. Staff shortages are also responsible for most organisations having to refuse admittance to those who are confined to their beds. Only those who can look after themselves to some extent can be accommodated and they can only be admitted when a vacancy occurs because of a death or transfer.

Nazareth House in Brougham street, which is conducted by the Roman Catholic Church, has accommodation for 45 men and 45 women as well as orphaned children. There are ininfirmaries for those who become ill, a billiards room and a smoking room for the men and a sitting room for the women. No extensions are planned at present. Hospital Board’s Homes

The North Canterbury Hospital Board provides accommodation for 83 women at the Jubilee Home in Woolston. About half of these are in the hospital ward at the home. Tuarangi Home at Ashburton, also run by the board has 50 men in the hospital ward and 67 other elderly men. There is a shortage of hospital aids in both institutions, but otherwise the staffing is fairly satisfactory. Although there is a waiting list, several beds are kept vacant for emergency cases.

The Salvation Army conducts two homes for women. At Rest Haven, which is very short of staff, there are 24 women whose ages range from 60 to 97. Invalids cannot be accepted, but every endeavour is made to care for women who fall ill. Another home in Papanui road has accommodation for 18 women and a long waiting list. A few elderly men are given accommodation at a home in Poulson street, if they have nowhere else to go. Two institutions conducted by the McLean Institute provide accommodation for about 40 women. Other churches have plans for building homes. The Presbyterian Social Service Association is at present committed to a campaign for building children’s homes, but a fund has been opened for a home for elderly persons. An Anglican society has plans for building several small homes, similar to those constructed for pensioners by the Christchurch City Council, with the addition of a central dining room and lounge, on glebe land at Avonside. The society has about £lOOO on hand and is hoping for a Government subsidy after £lO,OOO has been raised. Pensioners in Rooms

Speaking at a meeting of the City Council last week. Cr. Mary McLean said there were 20,000 pensioners of all descriptions in Christchurch. A large percentage were aged persons living alone.

Some are living m huts and small rooms for which high rentals are being charged. A recent survey conducted at the Christchurch Pensioners’ Association’s rooms showed that about 75 per cent, had no income other than their pensions. The average rental was 15s a week for an unfurnished room. All other necessaries had to be bdught out of the remaining 30s. Expenditure in the majority of cases was made up as follows:—bread Is 9d, groceries 10s, coal 4s 9d, trams Is 6d, newspaper Is, gas and light 3s, potatoes and vegetables 2s, meat 4s, and milk 2s. Provision for clothing, fish, fruit, tobacco be©r, or amusements can be made only at thb expense of the necessaries. Others told a reporter that they were paying 27s 6d a week for board and breakfast—the breakfast comprising a cup of tea and some biscuits or slices of bread. They were unable to stay in their rooms during the day and had to spend the remainder of their pension on meals. The establishment of the Pensioners’ Association has filled a long-felt need in the city for these men and women. In less than a year its membership has grown to 1869. At present it provides a cup of tea during the afternoon and a room- where pensioners can meet, read, and play cards. A meeting will be called shortly to consider the provision of hot meals. At present the association is not permitted to cook meals in its rooms. Constant representations for increased pensions or a decrease in the cost of living are made by the association’s officers. . Valuable work for pensioners is being done by church organisations and the Nurse Maude. Association for district nursing. Visits are made regularly to elderly pensioners living by themselves, who frequently need several days in bed. Those in rooms usually have no cooking arrangements other than a gas -ring and if they are confined to bed, they frequently do withput hot meals. Nursing, cooking, washjug, and cleaning of the rooms is done by nurses and other workers. Many social service workers consider that the pensioners’ cottages erected by the City Council provide the most suitable accommodation for Sensioners, particularly if a central inmg room is provided. The cottages have a low rental and pensioners are able to help each other if there is any illness.