Positive progress in N.Z.

Press, 15 July 1976, Page 19

Positive progress in N.Z.

established residential homes and geriatric hospitals, pensioner and ownership flats spring up regularly, and several new types of living accommodation are planned. In Christchurch, the Methodist Central Mission is pioneering the establishment of a residential club for the elderly adjacent to its other facilities in Harewood Road. The Club will house 50 and it is hoped to begin work on it next year. The building will be divided into two clubs: the ground and first floor, with 30 units, as the lower club, and the upper floors, with 18 units, as the upper club. Each club will include one double unit. “ The architect, Mr W. T. Royal, says that each unit will have a small entrance way, kitchen, combined dining, sitting and sleeping area, a separate toilet and bathroom area, and a private balcony. In the lower club, there will be a lounge on the ground floor and a smaller lounge with a library and reading area on the first floor. The complex has been designed so that people can look from one level to the other through an open area in the floor of the upper library. All public access ways will have glazed glass in them. Mr Royal says this will give visual contact between all members of the club. They can be private within their own units, but outside they will be forced to mix as much as possible with others. In the upper club the same thing will be repeated on a smaller scale. In each club a unit will be taken up as a private lounge with tea-making facilities for people who want to hold private parties or entertain guests. Beyond the main entrance there will be a service area for the whole complex pushed out on a limb, says Mr Royal. This will house the laundry and a workshop, and will increase the opportunities of people meeting each other.

its residents. The complex — a 50-bed residential home, a 25-bed hospital, and 14 supervised flats — is adjacent to the Methodist Children’s Home. Mrs N. H. Brouard, matron of the residential home, says that the elderly are too often regarded as a race apart and are shut out of the community life. It is important to use them to their full potential so they feel needed. With men, women, and children in close proximity, the elderly can hear “the sounds of life”. Nobody need go away as all facilities are on hand and people can end their days among friends. Those going into the residential home must be able to maintain themselves, although some may need a little help dressing and bathing, says Mrs Brouard. Many are frightened when they first arrive and she encourages them to bring “bits and pieces” from their former homes. Each resident has a furnished single room which they dust and tidy themselves, make their beds, and change the linen. They - are encouraged to come down to breakfast in their dressing gowns and to go back to bed afterwards, getting up again for morning tea. Voluntary groups come into the home to vacuum bedrooms. Residents do their own washing and ironing, and Mrs Brouard says the home is run “rather like a jig-saw puzzle” in that each resident depends on another for something. This may include washing and stacking dishes after meals, preparing vegetables, or laying tables. People make friends when they work together, says Mrs Brouard. Meals are served between set times although if residents feel like cooking a special meal for themselves they are able to buy the food and do so. There is a physiotherapy room with cooking facilities for those needing exercise after per-

problems at open meetings.

Residents range in age from about 70 to 94 and pay $35 a week for accommodation in the residential home. They receive a pension of $33.20 a week and many have supplementary grants or other pensions. They handle their own financial affairs unless they ask otherwise. The supervised flats — 10 single and two double — are run as those living in them choose. They are unfurnished and residents cook their own meals and look after themselves. If sick, they receive help from the home or hospital staff. A small maintenance fee is paid weekly.

On similar lines to the Netherlands, Cashmere View Hospital, Limited, hopes soon to start work on a 60-bed geriatric hospital opposite the geriatric assessment unit at Princess Margaret Hospital. Eight flats will be built around the complex later.

A director of the company (Mr Casper van der

Mr van der Veer says the flats are designed for those who are dependent on others to some degree. If they require a meal delivered or want bathing they can ring a bell for attention by hospital staff. It is anticipated residents will pay a service fee of $35 to $4O a week if they take all services offered, and about $7 a week for a daily meal. It is likely flats will be leased for life, bought or rented on a weekly basis.

One of the first instincts of preservation, says Mr van der Veer, is to Keep the elderly independent and mobile with no fear of being left alone. The Anglican Social Services plan to establish a village for the elderly at Styx Mill Road, incorporating flats, a residential home, an intermediate care wing, and a hospital, on a site of about 14 acres. The first stage will be 56 flats and it is hoped when completed the village will cater for 350 persons.