Old people stay an average of 5-6 years in homes

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32450, 10 November 1970, Page 27

Old people stay an average of 5-6 years in homes

Elderly people spend an average of five or six years in old people’s homes, and some patients have been in a home for more than 10 years, according to a report published by the Health Services Research Unit of the Department of Health.

“From the long waiting lists of persons seeking admission to old people’s homes, and the lengths of stay of persons in these homes being surprisingly long, it is obvious that careful assessment should be made before admission in the future,” says the report. ‘The main social reasons relating to admission are unsuitable accommodation, relatives’ attitudes, and the wishes of patients to remain independent. Although many are physically fit, especially in the younger groups, they tend to lose ,their independ-

ence when , in the homes, having nothing special to do, no housework, no gardening, no meals to prepare, and, in fact,, no responsibilities. As a result of this, they find their way to the common lounge, where they read, knit, and converse with their neigh-bour—-often, in time, they just sit.” The report, “A Clinical Study of Aged Persons in Old People’s Homes and Hospitals in Hawke’s Bay” marks the end of a study begun in 1967 by Dr T. B. Harvey, a medical officer of the Department of Health at Napier. The aim of the study was to test, in a small population, some of the conclusions of a Domin-ion-wide survey made in 1962. Dr Harvey was the medical assessor on this study, which was made to determine basic ratios to be used in planning accommodation for persons over 65 in homes for the aged or in hospitals. <

"Dr Harvey made a valuable contribution to the 1962 study,” said the DirectorGeneral of Health (Dr D. P. Kennedy). “This study draws attention to the needs of the aged in a local area, although it quite probably has wider application. We are indebted to Dr Harvey for this further contribution to our knowledge in the field of accommodating the aged.” The report says that three main types of accommodation are needed for the aged. They are:

Flats, for those who could live independently in their own homes but who need some help, such as the meals-on-wheels service.

Old people’s homes for those who are reasonably well physically but who are socially isolated and who require only occasional care. Geriatric wards for those who require hospital accommodation.