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Good relationships have been maintained with family doctors. A report on the action taken in each
case was sent to them and 13 cases who had defects, including bilateral cataract, arthritis, cardiac failure, hernia,
dysuria, bronchitis, varicose ulcers, erysipelas, hallux valgus and septic bunions, were referred for treatment.
Chiropody treatment was arranged for 45 cases; five were referred to the Old People's Welfare Committee
for a holiday; three to opticians for eye test and new glasses; three to the local health authority (two for home
help and one for home nursing); two to the Welfare Department for appliances; one to the National Assistance
Board for a supplementary allowance; one to the W.V.S. for additional clothing; one to hospital for
hearing aid; and one for dental treatment.
Advice was given on housing and diet; a few grossly obese rejected the idea of dieting and tended
to stay away from the next appointment. A few suffered from deficiencies in their diet and would have
benefited by the addition of "Complan," iron and B Group vitamins. On the whole, the old people attending
were depressed, either from living alone or in unsuitable accommodation, and therefore rather introspective
regarding their minor disabilities. The clinic fills a need in helping the elderly to live happy and independent
lives. The friendly, leisurely atmosphere makes them very willing to accept help on health and welfare problems.
Hospital treatment
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. However,
there is still a great need for more hospital accommodation. Compulsory powers for removing old people to
a hospital or hostel are only used when absolutely necessary, and then only after all other possibilities have
been fully explored. Seven cases were investigated during the year and six required further action. Four of
them were made comfortable in their own homes by the provision of additional services, such as Home Help,
Home Nurse, Laundry Service and Meals on Wheels. Two needed hospital treatment but it was only necessary
for one to be removed compulsorily under the National Assistance Acts, 1948 and 1951, as the other
agreed to go into hospital voluntarily.
Miss A. B., aged 78 years, was housebound, suffering from cardiac failure, secondary to ischaemic
heart disease, senile dementia, cerebral arterio-sclerosis and malnutrition. She was being looked after by an
aged friend, who was unable to give her the care and attention she required. The two old ladies had been kept
under observation for two years and a great deal had been done to help them. New bedding and clothing had
been provided, cleaning materials, a home help had been sent, and the Meals on Wheels service provided
meals, but Miss A. B.'s condition had been slowly deteriorating. They refused to have the laundry service
and eventually the home help. The accommodation became insanitary and finally an order under the National
Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951, was obtained from a Justice of the Peace on the 31st January, and Miss
A. B. was removed to the Central Middlesex Hospital the same day.
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 is to do their laundry.
In April, 1952, the Counoil 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 the Neasden Hospital
by arrangement with the Central Middlesex Group Hospital Management Committee, and transport is provided
by the Borough Council. Due to increased costs, the Management Committee increased the charge for laundering
and ironing from 4¼d. to 5d. per lb. from 1st April, 1961. 6 tons 16 cwt. of laundry were dealt with.
The service has continued to be greatly appreciated by old people and their relatives.

Voluntary Services for the Aged
The "49" Club organised by the Willesden Old Folks' Association celebrated its tenth anniversary
in February. The Club still has a substantial membership and is open daily from 1.30—10 p.m. Several firms
gave donations to the Association's funds.
One hundred members and helpers went for a day trip to Clacton in July. Voluntary visitors visited
12 old people weekly or fortnightly. Lonely housebound old people greatly appreciate the services, which
include shopping, reading, general conversation, and tidying the room. Forty-four parcels of imperishable
food were made up and distributed to the housebound by Middlesex County Council nurses and health visitors
from 232 articles of food given by the children of Malorees School after Harvest Thanksgiving.
From the 1st April, 1960, the Middlesex County Council have been responsible for the chiropody
service for the aged under section 28 of the National Health Service Act, 1947. The Willesden Old Folks'
Association acts as an agent for the County and arranges for the old people to have treatment. The four
private chiropodists who have worked for the Association for a number of years still carry out treatments
in their own surgeries. An additional chiropodist in the Neasden area commenced working for the Association
during the year. Treatment will be carried out at the clinics when the County Council appoint their
own chiropodists.