TALBOTS HOME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21989, 26 June 1933, Page 10

TALBOTS HOME

TO THE EDITOR.

Sin,—No person welcomed the inquiry In. regard to the. treatment of our old people more than I did, even though it meant asking a member of the board to inquire into the board’s administration of one of its institutions. .Ever since I was elected a member of Parliament I have periodically visited Talboys Home, and nave bn numerous occasions pointed out how unfairly these bid people, were being treated. The'first; question I raised,was in connection with the reduction of pensions by the Government, amounting to 7 a 7d per month.. To meet this reduction the board took 7s 2d of! each pensioner and itself sa'crificed sd. The practice previous .to this was to allow the pensioners 83 8d per. month pocket mopey and 6s fid per month bank money. Now they receive 8s pocket money and no bank money. This bank money was used after three , months .by the old people to buy clothes, boots, etc., but now that no money is banked they will have to rely on clothes the board gives them, and when one looks at the figures of the cost of clothing per inmate per year—l3s fid—then, so far as cuter clothing is concerned, there is ample justification for Dr Newlands’s statement "that many of the suits were worn and shabby.” In . regard to their meals, at this time I asked whether soup could not be supplied every day instead of on certain days in -the week. This was agreed to, but,, judge ; of my surprise when I found that, because, soup was provided, pudding had’ been ■ deleted from the menu. Some of these old people like soup, others prefer pudding, some would like both. .Why could not soup and pudding be provided every day .for dinner and allow these old people to choose what they like? I believe that Mr Robert Hall was instrumental in having a three-course dinner provided, and it was only after his death that it w r as deleted. I have never complained about the quality of the food, but I have complained in respect of the lack of variety and - the monotony of having a set menu for every day in the week that is rarely departed from. Surely it is possible to vary the menu each week and relieve the inmates from knowing-what l , they are going to get for their meals every Monday, Tuesday, etc., as the ease may be. I have: suggested that eggs and fruit should be provided. The board allows these inmates one egg a year. Can you realise it that the only day on ivhich these old people get an egg is Christmas Day? I suppose that to suggest scones or cakes, even for Sunday, will' arouse some opposition. Nevertheless, it would he something worth while. I have yet, to, be convinced that it is necessary for sanitary reasons to have straw mattresses. They are not used in/the infirmary or other institutions belonging to the board, but precautions, are taken there to protect the mattresses'that are used, and this could be done in Tal-. boys Home if better mattresses were provided. A straw mattress is not comfortable for old people, especially when the straw gets broken up. In my opinion, they arc provided because they are cheap. Dr Newlands's report states that the buildings are cheerless and shouVl he rebuilt. Well, anyone who has seen the place will agree with that. I recognise the disabilities of institutional treatment, and it was for that reason I visited Ross Home and the Little' Sisters of the Poor to see how they treat; their old pe9ple. Both of them ■ have *■ splendid buildings. In Ross Home there are pleasant, wellfurnished single and double bedrooms, with horsehair mattresses; there are sitting rooms for the men and women; the dining room, with its small tables, dean table cloths, and serviettes, would compare with any of our public dining rooms; a three-course dinner is provided, eggs and fruit are plentiful, and there is a variety .about the meals supplied. In the Little Sisters of the Poor the same may he said in regard to the food, inere is no set menu for any particular clay; morning and afternoon tea is, provided; whilst the bedrooms, holding six to eight beds, have kapok mattresses. ibis is institutional treatment, but the ■ board s compares unfavourably with that in these places I visited. Why can we not follow this example? Is it too much to ask for the same consideration, ami treatment for our old people? Personally, 1 had no desire to become a member of the Hospital Board,, and it was only because I thought that, if elected. I Wight be able to make the lives of these old people more comfortable that I consented to stand. I hope that, ns a result of Dr, Newlands's report and my comments, something will he done for these old people. —I a.ni, etc.; ~ I - Jones. TMost of; the comments that are offered in the above would be more, appropriately addressed to the/ members of the hoard at one of its meetings.—Ld. U.U.I.J