View report page

14
Generally speaking, it is now easier to obtain admission for an aged patient and the Geriatric
Physician and his almoner work in close co-operation with the local health and district authorities. There
is still, however, a great need for more hospital accommodation.
Compulsory powers for removing old people to hospital or hostel are only used when absolutely
necessary and then only after all other possibilities have been fully explored. The provisions of the National
Assistance Act, 1948, and the National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951, were outlined in the annual report
for 1953. One case was removed to a hospital under the Acts during 1956.
Miss E.M.L., aged 78 years, lived alone in a house consisting of 7 rooms, a scullery and a bathroom.
The house could be distinguished from others in the road by its neglected state and a collection of dirty milk
bottles in the porch. The passage was inches thick with rubbish and the rooms which were dusty and dirty, were
crowded with books, papers, clothes, ornaments, pictures and furniture. The kitchen sink was full of dirty
crockery, pots and pans, and scattered around were foods in various stages of decay. Miss L. was dressed
in filthy ragged clothes and her face and arms were grimy. An order under the National Assistance (Amendment)
Act, 1951, was obtained from a Justice of the Peace on the 22nd June, and Miss L. was removed to
Redhill House, Edgware, the same day. It was not necessary to apply for an extension as she did not wish
to leave the House when the order expired.
Laundry for the Aged
The care of incontinent old people places a heavy burden on their relatives. The washing of soiled
bed linen and night clothes, particularly in cramped accommodation in winter, with inadequate facilities for
drying, adds another intolerable strain on relatives which finally convinces them that the only place where
the old people can receive reasonable care is in an institution. One way of postponing this unpopular event is
to do their laundry.
In April, 1952, the Council organised a laundry service for incontinent old people free of charge
under section 84 of the Public Health Act, 1936. The articles are laundered and ironed at a cost of 4^d.
per lb. at the Neasden Hospital by arrangement with the Central Middlesex Group Hospital Management
Committee, and transport is provided by the Borough Council.
The service has continued to be greatly appreciated by old people and their relatives.

Talks to Old People's Associations
During October and November, the Medical Officer of Health and an assistant medical officer gave
six talks and film shows to old people's associations on "Accidents in the Home", in conjunction with a campaign
on the prevention of accidents to old people. 350 attended the talks and they showed keen interest
and asked many questions.
Voluntary Services for the Aged
The care of the aged is an excellent example of how the work of voluntary organisations supplements
that of local authorities. The main extension of this work during the year was carried out by voluntary effort,
and no praise can be too high for the voluntary helpers who spent time and energy on it.
The " 49 " Club organised by the Willesden Old Folk's Association celebrated its fourth anniversary
in February. The Club has a membership of 450 and is open daily from 1.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The
Council made a grant of £350 to the Association's funds and additional money was raised by a Flag Day.
60 members went to the theatre in February, and 200 members and helpers went for a day trip to
Folkestone in September. Holidays at a reduced rate were arranged for 20 members at Southend.
Voluntary workers visited 50 old people weekly or fortnightly. This service is greatly appreciated
by lonely people but more visitors are required. The visitors often took small personal gifts to the old people;
at Christmas they took 5/- each to 47 and Christmas dinner from the Association to 32.
150 packages of non-perishable foodstuffs were received for distribution by the Association from a
school in the area after Harvest Thanksgiving. The same school sent 25 Christmas calenders made by children
aged 7-8, and inscribed with their names and best wishes for 1957. A large industrial firm in the area asked
for the names of 27 lonely old people and members of the staff took them Christmas parcels. The manager of
a local branch of one of the Ministries sent a large parcel for distribution.
2 Christmas parties were held by the Association at Anson Hall, Cricklewood, and were very
successful. More than 500 invitations were sent out and 420 people were given a high tea and entertainment
and 2/- each.
The chiropody service is still in great demand. 600 people were on the register in 1956, compared
with 460 in 1955. An average of 24 attended the two chiropodists in the Kilburn and Harlesden area each
week, and altogether 200 house-bound people had treatment in their own homes. A charge of 2/- is made
for treatment and the Association pays 4/6d., the balance of the charge. The National Council for Welfare
of Old People made a grant of £100 towards the cost of treatment, which in 1956 cost the Association more
than £300.