SOCIAL REHABILITATION OF THE AGED: SOME NEGLECTED ASPECTS*

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Abstract
The first section of this article on some neglected aspects of social rehabilitation of the aged concerns the philosophy of rehabilitation. A general principle is that the probability of improvement is highest when the goal for the old person is set successively at only the next step higher than the current level of functioning. The personnel of the institution should be kept aware of the success of their efforts in attaining these realistic goals.The ensuing sections of the article contain recommendations for certain fresh approaches to various problems regarding application of the old person to a home for the aged, the waiting period, and the crucial entry period. Since change of residence constitutes an acute stress for many old people, appropriate psychological and social attention is very important and may set the course for the success of rehabilitation. Private space, social space and furnishings in the institution are discussed. The importance of the staff is dealt with from the viewpoints of the social role, the helping role, and the personal distance between employee and resident. The goal of rehabilitation in the institution extends even to death in an attempt to add dignity and self‐respect in the final phase of life.