Accommodation For Aged, Infirm “A Major Problem"

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29270, 30 July 1960, Page 15

Accommodation For Aged, Infirm “A Major Problem"

The shortage of supervised accommodation for the aged and infirm is a major problem which cannot be met merely by the pro- | vision of more home aids, says the chairman of the Christchurch Aged People’s Welfare Council | (Dr. H. R. Donald) in his annual report to the council. ‘The City Council has a waiting list of more than 425 single womeh for pensioners’ cottages, and Windsor House has more than 150 waiting for a vacancy on the residential side—the waiting list for its hospital wing closed in March.

“The combined waiting lists of our constituent organisations now exceeds 300, while the numbers of the frail and infirm who occupy beds in the general wards of public hospitals remain virtually unchanged. Until this is recognised by the authorities and some far-sighted plan adopted, the situation will inevitably continue to deteriorate," says the report.

“The experience of recent years has fully justified the incorporation of an infirm wing, with residential homes, for the frail ambulant. With the increasing age and infirmity of our residents it would seem desirable that these wings should contain up to 40 per cent, of the total bed-state, in order that a few beds may be available for the needs of the immediate locality. “Out of 50 beds, therefore—generally accepted as the optimum size of such a home—2o should be contained in the hospital wing, a ratio that is planned for the council’s proposed new residential homS in Lyttelton street, Spreydon,” the report says.

"Langford House, in Sydenham, continues to serve its purpose by providing accommodation for 49 elderly folk, but it just pays its own way on a weekly board rate of £3 17s 6d. "The old buildings, together with the new additions erected by the welfare council, remain the property of the Government, but in spite of this we have contracted to repay the Government half the cost of repairing and converting the maternity hospital.” says Dr. Donald’s report. "These repayments, which are the equivalent of a rental of £lOOO a year, are due to begin in the coming year. Unless some solution can be found this may necessitate raising the price of board by 10s a week.”