Residential clubs for aged sought

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32956, 30 June 1972, Page 8

Residential clubs for aged sought

A residential club for the aged, giving an independent, self-care area within the protection of the community, might be opened in Christchurch as a pilot scheme to complement conventional residential homes for the aged.

A deputation from the New Zealand Methodist Social Services’ Association which met the Acting Minister of Health (Mr Thom >son) this week suggested the pilot scheme to introduce the new concept in care for the aged. The leader of the v deputation (the Rev. W. F. Falkingham, who is superintendent of the Christchurch Central Mission) said residential clubs had been used overseas for 15 years. Each person or married couple in the club was grouped with 20 or 30 others and did as much, as possible for himself while communal duties were shared. Accommodation would be a single or double room which included a bed-sitting-dining area with a small kitchenette and a private shower,

handbasin and lavatory, said Mr Falkingham. The deputation also asked that favourable consideration be given to an increase in the bed subsidy to geriatric: hospitals; that residents in religious and welfare homes for the aged be given the same level of special assistance fund grants as those in private rest homes; and that a subsidy payment be made for all residents over 80 years.