HOMES FOR AGED

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 81, Issue 7252, 15 September 1950, Page 8

HOMES FOR AGED

NEED CONFIRMED DECISION OF REPRESENTATIVE MEETING That a need for homes for the aged and infirm existed in the Waikato was confirmed at a meeting of representatives of various centres in the Waikato Hospital Board’s district in Hamilton this week. It was also decided to ask the Government seriously to consider a pro-po-sition that in its housing scheme a certain percentage of houses suitable fqr elderly people be allocated and that the Government write off 50 per cent, of the cost. The meeting decided to urge local bodies, religious and other organisations to take advantage of the Government subsidy of 50 per cent, and undertake and organise homes for elderly people appropriate for their district requirements. The Government will be asked to make any donation of £2O or over free from income tax. Combined Effort Needed The Mayor of Hamilton and chairman of the Waikato Hospital Board, Mr. H. D. Caro, said there was a need for a combined effort in the Waikato. He .said it was no part of the Government’s policy that the homes should be free. Inmates should pay a certain amount. The Government’s intentions were outlined by the Minister of Social Welfare, Mrs. Hilda Ross. She said that in approved cases the Government would assist religious organisations or charitable in.stitutions with a grant of up to 50 per cent, of the cost. Mr. H. E. Calcbtt, convener of a Hamilton committee, said his committee was of the opinion that a home was. necessary, but did not think the project could be handled by a religious or other organisation. Family Responsibilities That family responsibilities should be recognised was the view advanced by Mrs. Ro.ss, who said she was not speaking as a member of the Government. “Ten years ago we would have been ashamed to say we want to put old people in homes as quickly as possible,” she said. Healthy people oyer 60 should have made some provision by that age and support by the family should be expected if possible. “I think we are approaching it from the wrong angle,” said Mrs. Ross. “We should try to show the people a sense of responsibility.” Mrs. Ross referred to staffing difficulties which were experienced in homes and institutions. An offer to take over any work that might be required in the project was made by the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffalos. Mr. Caro said he thought a start should be made in a small way in each centre. He thought that in this way something could be done quickly.