Care of old people in residential homes.

Townsend (1963), in his book "The Last Refugea survey of residential institutions and homes for the aged in England and Wales", painted a disturbing picture of the care received by old people in this country. The purpose of this investigation was to see whether it was possible to make an objective assessment of the adequacies, or the inadequacies, of the residential care given to old people. This study was performed in the County of Kent. Residential accommodation is provided by the Council under Part III of the National Assistance Act, 1948, and is restricted to provision for persons who by reason of age, infirmity, or any other circumstances are in need of care and attention which is not otherwise available to them. The residential services provided can be divided into five types: (I) Elderly persons who, while requiring much assistance in such matters as dressing and bathing, are capable of some measure of selfhelp, with nursing in the Home restricted to short periods of illness. (2) Persons who because of the degenerative changes of age-sometimes occurring prematurely-need a great deal of assistance and substantial measures of care under the supervision of a nurse. (3) (4) The elderly mentally infirm. Persons-predominantly men-who, whilst not mentally disordered, need specialized care because they cannot manage on their own in society. (5) Young persons suffering from degenerative conditions and severe physical handicaps such as multiple sclerosis and severe arthritis. It has been found necessary by the Council to provide homes appropriate to the special requirements