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14
CARE OF THE AGED
As the proportion of old people in the community increases it becomes more urgent and necessary
to extend our medical and welfare services to care adequately for them.
Most old people are living alone but they can manage to look after themselves in spite of their
deficiencies in money, suitable living accommodation and general amenities. Some require help to keep
them comfortable and happy in their own homes, while a small minority cannot be adequately cared for
except in a hospital or old people's home. The local health authority provides home nurses and home helps,
and health visitors investigate the needs of the old people and arrange for the necessary services to be given.
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. No action was necessary under the Acts during 1957.
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 4Jd. 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.

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 Folks Association, celebrated its fifth anniversary
in February. The Club has a membership of more than 450, and is open daily from 1.30 to 10.0 p.m. The
Council made a grant of £350 to the Association's funds, several firms gave donations and additional money
was raised by a Flag Day. Sixty members went to the theatre in March and two hundred members and
helpers went for a day trip to Southend in July. Holidays at a reduced rate were arranged for twenty members
at Southend.
Voluntary workers visited 48 old people weekly or fortnightly. Lonely housebound old people
greatly appreciate the services, which include shopping, reading, general conversation, tidying the room or
attention to the hair. At Christmas the visitors took 5/- each to 72 old people and Christmas dinner from the
Association to 56. Many more volunteers for visitors are required.
Packages of food for distribution to the housebound were given by a school in the borough after
Harvest Thanksgiving, by firms, the manager of a local branch of one of the Ministries, and private persons.
The Christmas party was held at Anson Hall, Cricklewood, and was very successful. More than
300 invitations were sent out and 280 people were given a high tea and entertainment, and two shillings.
Grants were also made to other organisations to help them arrange their own parties.
The chiropody service is still in great demand. 600 people were on the register in 1957 ; an average
of 50 attended the three chiropodists in the Kilburn, Harlesden and Willesden Green areas each week.
The chiropodist in the Willesden Green area commenced giving treatment this year. In addition, 200
housebound 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 £200 towards the cost of treatment, which in 1957 cost the Association more than £300.
On the recommendation of the Welfare Officer, free coal was supplied to old people who could not
afford it, and financial assistance was given in several cases to help maintain and license wireless sets of the
housebound.
In October, the Middlesex Old People's Welfare Committee arranged a handicraft exhibition. Old
people's clubs in Willesden provided 97 of the 677 entries. Willesden won three prizes, a first prize for a
lampshade, a second prize for woodwork, and a third prize for tatting.