CARE OF AGED INFIRM

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27675, 3 June 1955, Page 2

CARE OF AGED INFIRM

WELFARE COUNCIL EXTENDS POLICY ACCOMMODATION IN EVENTIDE HOMES Approval of an extension in policy, which provides for limited accommodation being used for care of the infirm in homes for the aged, was given by the council of the Christchurch Aged Peoples’ Welfare Council at its annual meeting, last evening. When the policy of the council was being considered at the outset, a great deal of thought was given to the question of the aged and infirm and the aged and frail, said the chairman of the executive (Dr. H. R. Donald). It was felt then that hospital boards should provide accommodation for the aged and infirm and the council agreed to be responsible for the aged and frail and the aged and fit, but not to undertake commitments for the infirm. Since that time the problem of the infirm had deteriorated considerably, shortage of hospital accommodation had become more acute and many organisations represented on the council were finding that old folk in their eventide homes were becoming infirm and needed nursing care. Because of this, the executive had reconsidered the question of responsibility. Dr. Donald said.

“The executive feels it is desirable that the-council and member organisations should, as far as possible, accept limited responsibility for this class of old person,” he said. “Whether this course is practicable is a matter of opinion, but the Government has increased its allowance for this class of person to £6 a week, so the financial position has improved. There is a very urgent need for the care of the infirm and the executive believes that the council’s attitude to the problem should be reviewed.”

Old people went into a home for the aged and made it their new home, said the Rev. T. G. Campbell, who is of the Presbyterian Social Service Association. With care and attention they lived longer. Sometimes they needed nursing care even though they coulcj not be admitted to hospital. “Our policy, is to try to provide a small hospital unit,” he said. Facilities not Adequate “We find old folk in our eventide homes are becoming more frail or dying and we are really giving them hospital service, sometimes providing trained nurses, yet we have not adequate facilities or staff to look after people who are ill or dving,” said the Rev. W. E. Falkingham, superintendent of the Methodist Central Mission. “We should be able to say to all we take in: ‘We give you security for life.’ If . not, we are only partly solving the problem of the aged,” he said. “At the present time we have to turn' down most urgent cases because they are too frail- to take in. We could open our doors to those people if we had a unit where they could be adequately cared for when they became infirm.”

“The Social Service Council of the Diocese of Christchurch feels that the aged sick are the responsibility of hospitals,” said Mr G. Morgan, the director. “We intend to provide sick room accommodation, but not hospital accommodation at Churchill Courts.” Representatives of other organisations caring for the aged also supported the motion seeking the provision of limited accommodation for the infirm in eventide homes.

Dr. F. O. Bennett said that very often old people admitted to hospital from homes for the aged feared that they would not be taken back after their discharge. Because of recurring minor illnesses elderly persons could be in the aged and infirm category one day and in the aged and frail the next. Ward accommodation should be provided in homes for the aged, as it was in the Jubilee and Tuarangi Homes, so lhat residents could be kept under the same roof as their state of health changed. Several speakers assured the council that aged persons from eventide homes were always taken back on their discharge from hospital.