Care of aged rests on decisions now

Press, 24 June 1978, Page 1

Care of aged rests on decisions now

By

JOHN BROWN

Indecision surrounds the future care of Christchurch’s elderly. Their security 20 years hence depends on choices which must be made soon.

The choice lies between care in institutions or care at home.

Figures released yesterday show an over-emphasis on care institutions in the North Canterburv Hospital Board’s area. This contrasts with inadequate provisions for care at home.

The board area provides 957 long-stay hospital beds for the elderly, 354 more than the 603 recommended by the Health Department. The department considers that 990 beds in old people’s homes are enough for the needs of the area, but 1350 are provided. In contrast, beds for assessment and rehabilitation — attempting to get elderly people back into their homes — fall short of recommended numbers by 97. This is 68 beds to the department’s recommended 165. The board fails in other aspects to support elderly people in their homes. It has no day-care beds, although the department recommends that it should have at least 83. The number of uses of home aids, meals-on-wheels, and home nursing all fall far below

departmental recommendations.

The emphasis on care in institutions at the expense of care at home is the problem that now confronts the hospital board and voluntary and private agencies.

The board has budgeted $127,000 to help coordinate the work of 85 independent agencies which are attempting to encourage care at home for the elderly. It has, however, failed so far to slow the demand for care in institutions.

Proposals to use Christchurch Women’s Hospital for elderly people in about 12 years will force the board to make a stand. It must choose either more care in institutions or more emphasis on care at home.

The board is determined to move Christchurch Women’s Hospital facilities to the Christchurch Hospital site. But the Health Department has given its approval for this move only if a “suitable use” is found for the present buildings.

Although six suggestions were made last year for future use of the hospital, the only one to which the

board has given any serious attention since February last year is the use of the hospital for the elderly. the board must find alternative accommodation to replace Coronation Hospital and Jubilee Home, both of which are to be demolished within 10 years. Representatives of aged people’s groups in the city say that the board must provide more assessment and rehabilitation services, build at least three day hospitals (the board has plans for only one), and open specialised day care centres.

They also want more appropriate use made of Sunnyside Hospital once the demand for psychiatric beds decreases, financial support for new methods of community care and home-care services brought to departmental levels. If the board succeeds in its determination to rebuild Christchurch Women’s Hospital on the Christchurch Hospital site, it is prepared to erect a multistorev car-park nearby.

The Christchurch City Council opposes this because of possible traffic congestion.