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OLD PEOPLE'S WELFARE
The visiting of the elderly in the Borough has continued
throughout the year. The District Nurses, Home Helps, Hospital
Almoners and others who are in frequent touch with the elderly all
assist by drawing attention to those they meet who require the assistance
of the various welfare services provided by the Council.
The fullest use was made of the bathing service provided at the
Council's Cleansing Station and of the domiciliary service. An
average of 47 persons per week were bathed either in their own
homes or in the Cleansing Station.
The Council continued to act as agents for the Council for the
Welfare of Old People in operating the Meals on Wheels Service
and the meals served to the Municipal Club until 31st March, when
under the provisions of the 1962 amendment to the National
Assistance Act 1948 they became directly responsible for operating
this important service. At the same time opportunity was taken to
reduce the charge to old people from 1/1d. to 1/- whilst keeping
the cost of the meal at 2/3d. Because requests for the Meals on
Wheels had increased considerably it was found necessary to
introduce a fourth unit to meet the demand.
There was also an increase in the demand for the Weekend
Meals service. It will be recalled that this service was introduced
in May 1961 to supply a hot meal at weekends to handicapped and
homebound persons unable to prepare or to obtain a meal, the food
used being individual portions frozen in sealed bags which could be
quickly heated by immersion in boiling water. The summer brought
misgivings as to the future of this service when it was learned that
production of this particular range of food would cease at the end
of June. Fortunately sufficient stocks were procured to enable the
service to continue whilst other arrangements were made. It was
through the kindness of the Governor's of Guy's Hospital that a
solution to this problem was quickly found. The Board of Governors
readily agreed to the suggestion that the meals for this special group
of persons should be cooked in the hospital kitchens and delivered
by Council staff. The new arrangement started from the beginning
of October. I was most impressed by the interest and enthusiasm
shown by Guy's for this service.
The local section of the Womens' Voluntary Service offered to
open a luncheon club for experimental period for old people living
in the Rotherhithe Area where their premises are situated. The
accommodation, utensils and staff were to be found by the W.V.S.
and the Council to supply the food. The Council accepted the offer
and from the first week in October the club opened on Tuesdays
and Thursdays. There is every indication that this venture will be
successful and there may possibly be justification for it to be extended
to more than two days each week.