Page 1, 2nd January 1976

2nd January 1976

Page 1

Page 1, 2nd January 1976 — Rallying round the aged
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Rallying round the aged

OLD people are to be the centre of a nation-wide campaign this year organised by all the major agencies helping the elderly.
Its aims will be, first, to draw people's attention to the work of the voluntary agencies such as Age Concern and Help the Aged. Secondly, a trust fund is being set up to collect money for research into the medical and social aspects of growing old and to co-ordinate research already being done in this field.
The campaign, "Age Action Year," was suggested originally by Age Concern and is being accompanied by a nation-wide appeal led by the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Lindsay Ring, the president of the appeal. The leaders of all three political parties, Mr Harold Wilson, Mrs Margaret Thatcher and Mr Jeremy Thorpe, and the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, have given support to the idea and offered to sponsor the campaign.
The expectation of life is longer today than it has ever been, but the problems are numerous; 39 per cent of all hospital beds are occupied by someone over 65 and more than two million retired people live alone.
A quarter of a million old people live in accommodation without indoor sanitation at a time when local authorities are finding it more difficult to provide more money for services and rehousing.
In addition to the national appeal, local initiatives are being encouraged by "Age Action Year." All the money raised in these local initiatives will be spent locally, but the main thrust of the campaign will be to get more people involved in helping old people and working for them and with them.
Dr. Paul White, an expert on the subject of old age, said: "An increase in life expectations would be of value only if we are enabled to add life to years and not just years to life."
Help the Aged has just published an emergency report on the need for day centres for old people. These are places where retired and elderly people can meet and get a cheap lunch and are noticed, and helped to feel that they are part of a community.
The Churches are giving a lead with the day centres. In Wembley, Middlesex, a disused church has been converted into a lunch club. It is not only a meeting point, but gives an opportunity for members to do light work such as to wrap bandages and prepare dressings for the local hospital.
At St Martin's day centre in Cambridge run by the Methodists, volunteers provide cheap meals. It has a lounge and hairdressing facilities.
Money does not seem to be the prime need. Co-ordinators and volunteers to bring old people to the centres, and enthusiasm to help them face up to the difficulties of old age and find fulfilment in it, are the most important factors.




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