Call to reduce isolation of the elderly
New' Zealand may be allowing many hundreds of its elderly to be labelled as senile because it has not come to grips w'ith the problems caused by isolation, according to one specialist.
Mrs H. P. McGowan, who has just returned from a world conference of occupational therapists in Israel, said that one of the main points of the conference was the research which showed that many people once thought to be senile had in fact been suffering from depression and other personality disorders caused by isolation.
This had been established by post mortem examinations of the brains of people diagnosed as senile. Many had shown no sign of brain damage. Mrs McGowan, who is a tutor in psychiatry from the occupational therapy school of the Central Institute of Technology, based at Sunny, side Hospital, said that a concerted attack must be made in New Zealand to alleviate the problems caused by isolation among the elderly. “Isolation, or even the fear of it, is one of the big problems facing the elderly in New Zealand. This is a reflection of the low status accorded to geriatric medicine in New Zealand,” she said.
iVlany of the elderly in psychiatric and general hospitals would be better living in the community if more sunport services were available. A national system of day-care centres — proved overseas — should be examined.
“So many elderly are being forced into hospitals. This often means that acute beds are being used, and this is not a sensible use of health finance. More importantly, we are creating a lot of human misery that could be alleviated,” she said.
A more careful assessment of the needs of the elderly must be made throughout New Zealand so that earlier referrals for help could be made, said Mrs McGowan. “However, this must be accompanied by a greater emphasis on the need for young people in the medical and allied professions to (specialise in geriatric medicine. There is an urgent I need for an injection of [manpower.”
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19780415.2.53
Bibliographic details
Press, 15 April 1978, Page 6
Word Count
339Call to reduce isolation of the elderly Press, 15 April 1978, Page 6
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Copyright in all Footrot Flats cartoons is owned by Diogenes Designs Ltd. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise these cartoons and make them available online as part of this digitised version of the Press. You can search, browse, and print Footrot Flats cartoons for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Diogenes Designs Ltd for any other use.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.