Study of aged in Chch

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33981, 23 October 1975, Page 6

Study of aged in Chch

Accommodation and [supporting services for the elderly in Christchurch are to be investigated by the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women.

Concern that more help [may be needed to allow i elderly people to remain in i their homes was expressed at the monthly meeting of [the council this week. I Although delegates agreed a great deal was being done for the elderly, they felt some existing services may not be well enough known by the public. They also said that the present philosophy of keeping old people in their own homes where possible was impractical without support, such as readilyavailable transport, and access to shops.

The quality of care and facilities in residential homes for the elderly will

lalso be studied as part of I this research pro ject. Further research will be done by the branch into the possibility of the Government’s providing some form of training for intellectually handicapped children “as their right.” Delegates were critical of the present system in which parents of intellectually handicapped children had to pay to send their children to some training centres. Boys should be included in “design for living” courses in secondary schools, delegates believe. The branch will survey existing courses in secondary schools, and their availability to pupils, especially boys. The education subcommittee considers design for living courses should include budgeting, taxation, money investment, food purchasing, nutrition, household management, and hire (purchase.