Abstract
Psychiatric disorders of old age have increased in keeping with increased longevity. Thus, numerous social and economic problems have appeared and require urgent solutions. In the Province of Quebec, there were, in 1961, 43,000 persons aged 65 and over. The insufficient arrangements for assistance in this area should be pointed out. There is no doubt that there should be many more homes and hospitals for aged persons.
In addition to extended life expectancy, numerous social and economic factors, such as the conditions of modern living, small dwellings, women working outside their homes, exodus towards cities, evolution of the family group habits, are coming into play.
Due to lack of facilities, the mental hospital must admit a large number of aged persons who should be accommodated elsewhere. This constitutes a considerable “overload” of aged persons in psychiatric departments and a slowing down of the rate of care which is prejudicial to patients of a less advanced age who could recover faster.
A look at the present situation at St. Michel Archange Hospital and a review of the past ten years, permit the compilation of very revealing statistics.
If it is appropriate to set up a geriatric department in a mental hospital it is urgently required, on the other hand, to relieve congestion in the hospital and to build throughout the country regional institutions for aged persons, with all the necessary services and a section for agitated and disabled patients. It is important also to improve existing institutions and take into account previous achievements.
Social assistance measures — homes, nursing homes, motels, home care, day centres, sheltered workshops, etc., should retain the attention of the members of the Commission entrusted with the study of those problems by the Psychiatric Hospitals Division in the Ministry of Health.