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(15)
OLD PEOPLE'S WELFARE
The regular visits to elderly people in the Borough continued
throughout the year and every attention was given to those found
to be in need of assistance and guidance. The staff engaged in
this work maintained the high standard of co-operation with the
organisation who are also concerned with the welfare of old people.
Full use has been made of the domiciliary bathing service and
the bathing service provided at the Council's cleansing station. An
average of 45 persons per week were provided for either in their own
homes or in the cleansing station.
The demand for meals on wheels showed a slight decrease during
the year as will be seen from the following tables. The cost of
these meals were raised from 2/3 d. to 2/6drbut the Council were
able to avoid having to increase their charges to old people.
The week-end meals service provided with the co-operation
of Guy's Hospital showed an increase on the previous year. This,
of course, was not due to demand but because more people in need
of this particular service were brought to the attention of the
department.
The Luncheon Club opened by the Women's Voluntary
Service towards the end of last year for a trial period of three months
proved to be the success hoped for. By the end of the year plans
were being made for the club to be opened four days in each week
instead of two. The Council were able to give financial aid to
assist the W.V.S. in securing improvements to their kitchen by way
of extending the water supply and installing a sink.