HALF-WAY HOUSE.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10412, 20 October 1927, Page 5

HALF-WAY HOUSE.

DOAHNION’S IAIPORTANT NEED

CARE OF SENILE PERSONS

£ 'l consider tlio time has come, when the Government should establish a half-way house.—between a hospital and- an asylum.” ( This observation was made by Mr W. G. Sherratt, chairman’ of the Cook Hospital Board yesterday, when a circular from the Hospital Boards' Association dealing with accommodation of persons suffering from senile decay was under consideration. Many of the senile decay cases, stated the circular, might not be distinctly cases for confinement in mental hospitals or prisons, and they were undoubtedly less suitable for admission to the old people’s home. No doubt many would agree with the Inspector General’s- statement that “as a general principle it is not right that these old people, many .of whom had been hard working good citizens of the early pioneer type,, should have to end their /ays in an institution whose function it is to care for'the insane.” On. the otliex- hand it was'claimed that’the feelings of a large number of ordinary inmates of the Old People’s Home’were entitled to 'greater consideration in this matter. The maiii point urged is that having regard to the mental and physical disabilities of these cases, their liability to suffer recurring attacks of insanity pr to commit criminal acts the: requisite observation,' cafe and control"'cannot be exercised in the old people’s homes. The admission of such cases would he a constant source of anxiety. The Association suggested that these eases should be dealt with in a special institution and that the establishment of such an institution should;Be considered in conjunction with the earlier proposal for dealing witli .T.B. cases and objectionable habits and criminal tendencies. It was not. suggested that the same institution should deal with these widely different classes of cases, but that the controlling authority should be'one and the same. . >%■ Mr D. W. Coleman: We frequently have tlieso half-way cases, . v'liich place- the doctors in a dilemma as to what institution they should be committed:’ J The Board unanimously agreed to the suggestion that there should be an institution for the control of senile persons, as. outlined in the Asso nation’s circular.