The Medical Problem of To-Day

The problem of the aged sick in the community to-day is urgent but complex. I propose to consider certain salient features only. The Population Trend. People are living longer to-day than they did fifty years ago. In this country at the beginning of the century there were about 2| million people over the age of sixty; to-day there are 7! millions, and it is estimated that in 1977 there will be io| millions. But these figures do not represent the full measure of the problem. For the aged, as we all know, are more prone to incapacitating ailments than the rest of the community and their ailments tend to be chronic or to require prolonged convalescence. From this two results follow directly: first, an increased load is thrown on the home where someone, usually a daughter, has to be responsible for the sick Parent or grandparent; secondly, the hospital service, which