ABSTRACT
Highfield House was a local authority residential home for elderly people, purpose-built at the periphery of a small town in the North-east of England, within half a mile of one of its neighbouring villages, Moorgate. 1 It accommodated forty-six individuals ‘in need of care and attention not otherwise available’. 2 For most it offered a private bed-sitting room in conjunction with communal lounge and dining-room facilities. A staff consisting of matron, care assistants, and care aids was available, should a resident need help in washing, dressing, getting about, or become ill. Given that this institution was the final home of most of its residents, the care of sick and dying people was an intrinsic aspect of its role.
