Why did my ggg grandfather die in a workhouse?

[BridgetM]

In 1885, at the age of 66, my ggg grandfather died in a workhouse.  The cause of death was softening of the brain.  (Dementia?)  His wife and children were still alive--and not indigent; and he and his wife were still living together in 1881.  Were people with dementia sent to a workhouse because (in 1885) there was no other alternative?

[stanmapstone]

Many Workhouses had hospitals attached to them. Which Workhouse was it ?


Stan

[BridgetM]

It was Union Workhouse Blackburn.  There are 3 initials under the address.

[Little Nell]

U.S.D. - Urban Sanitary District, a local government division.

Nell

[coombs]

Many workhouses had hospitals attached to them. I have two ancestors who also died in 1885 in a workhouse. One died on chronic bronchitis in January 1885 and one died of paralysis in October 1885. The one who died in January was admitted the previous day. I am not sure about how long the other one had been in the workhouse before he died.

[hiraeth]

There is information re Blackburn workhouse and hospital block on this link

http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Blackburn

Heather

[Bilge]

You may wish to look here if you have not already done so!

http://www.workhouses.org.uk/


Sorry posts crossed!

[coombs]

A lot of my ancestors ended up in the workhouse due to illness.

[BridgetM]

Thanks for the links.  (They're pretty harrowing!)  It seems a bit hard, to work all your life, get sick and end up in a Workhouse.