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Care of the Aged
The remarks which I made in my Annual Report for 1956
regarding care of the aged generally, apply equally today. Here
is a field in which so very much can and should be done. As I
write this report it is highly probable that the Wood Green Old
People s Welfare Committee will be strengthened and able to
undertake much wider functions in the very near future. Prom
what I know of the Old People s Welfare Committee I am well aware
that these extended duties will be eagerly accepted. An attempt is
at present being made to endeavour to assess the needs of old people
living in the Borough, to place these needs in some order of
priority and to take such steps as are practicable to ensure
that the needs are met, It need scarcely be said that the
Borough Council has always taken the greatest interest in the
welfare of its old folk. This is an almost classic example of
the way in which a statutory body such as a Borough Council can
co-operate with a voluntary committee to improve the lot of
those members of the community who are in such dire need of
assistance.
Much of course, is already being done. The great work
carried out by the Old People s Welfare Committee has already
been mentioned. One must also remember the magnificent contribution
made by the Wood Green Division of the British Red Cross
Society and the W.V.S., together with many other bodies not to
mention individuals. When ail these efforts have been fully
co-ordinated when ouroldpeople can know where to obtain assistance
when gaps have been filled and new amenities and services
provided, we can honestly say that the problem of the aged is
being adequately tackled in Wood Green. Need I stress that the
sooner this is done the more can we rest content.