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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 4¼d. 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 sixth 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. 30 old people went to the theatre, as guests of the Willesden
Association of Auctioneers, and 200 members and helpers went for a day trip to Folkestone in July. Holidays
at reduced rates were arranged for 30 old people at Southend.
Voluntary workers visited 55 old people weekly or fortnightly. Lonely housebound old people greatly
appreciate the services which include shopping, reading, general conversation, tidying the room and attention
to the hair. At Christmas the visitors took 5/- each to 77 old people and Christmas dinner from
the Association to 56. The Stonebridge Mothers Club gave £1.1.0. towards the dinners. A Christmas party
was held at Anson Hall, Cricklewood, and was very successful. 262 people attended and were given a high
tea and entertainment and 2/-. Grants were also made to other organisations to help them arrange their own
parties. A large firm also distributed many parcels at Christmas. 39 parcels of food for distribution to the
housebound were given by Malorees School after Harvest Thanksgiving, and 10 by Leinster Road School.
The chiropody service is still in great demand. 750 people were on the register in 1958; an average
of 50 attended the three chiropodists in Kilburn, Harlesden and Willesden Green areas each week. New applicants
receive initial treatment and are then placed on the register for periodic visits. 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 1958 cost the Association more than £300. Unfortunately this is the
last grant the Association will receive, because the fund is now closed.
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 the licences of wireless sets of the
housebound.
The branch club opened at St. Martin's Church Hall, Kensal Rise, in January, 1955, meets every
Wednesday afternoon from 2—4 p.m. An average of 50 old people attend each week. The club is self-supporting,
but the Association pays the rent of the hall. Members went for two day trips in the summer to
Clacton and Margate. Several tea and birthday parties were held, and 100 members who attended a Christmas,
party were given a high tea and 2/- : the Association gave £10 towards the cost.