Use Of “Mona Vale” For Aged Suggested

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31248, 21 December 1966, Page 22

Use Of “Mona Vale” For Aged Suggested

“Mona Vale,” which is under consideration as a metropolitan public park, could he used to provide urgently-needed residential accommodation for the frail and aged infirm, said Mr W. T. Rice yesterday.

Mr Rice was a representative of the Waimairi County Council on the Christchurch Aged People’s Welfare Council for a number of years until last year. Most local bodies had accepted the responsibility of providing pensioner flats for those fit enough to look after themselves, he said. Now they should seek the greater responsibility of providing for the frail and infirm aged unable to look after themselves but who were not sufficiently incapacitated to warrant permanent occupancy of a hospital bed. The churches had given a lead in caring for old persons, Mr Rice said, but financial difficulties were major stumbling blocks to the adequate and early provision of

more properly-run residential homes.

He proposed that local bodies should consider:

1. Immediate investigation of the existing buildings at “Mona Vale" to determine their suitability for conversion to a residential home for frail aged, with the addition of an infirm wing. 2. Consideration of siting within the gardens of another residential home for the aged. 3. A study of the finance and subsidy implications. 4. The seeking of legislation to give local bodies authority Jo provide and run residential homes for the aged, with the widest possible church co-operation.