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CARE OF THE ELDERLY
The appointment by the Council of social visitors
for old people has proved to be of inestimable value.
They have established an excellent liaison with other
statutory and voluntary organisations such as the London
County Council, the Camberwell Old People's Welfare
Association, the U.G.S., and the local hospitals,
particularly the Geriatric Unit at St.Francis Hospital.
The co-operation with hospitals is exceptionally
useful in that the Visitors are able to provide information
relating to the social background of old people
admitted as in-patients. Similarly, the hospitals notify
the Visitors of the impending discharge of old people to
their own homes in order that all the necessary services
may be arranged in good time - home help, meals-on-wheels
and so on. This co-ordination goes a long way towards the
avoidance of overlapping or duplication, but at the same
time ensures that no patients are deprived of any
assistance they may require.
Information of other elderly folk is received from
many sources, including relatives and neighbours. A
comprehensive register of old people in need of community
care is gradually being built up and at the end of the
year contained information of nearly one thousand old
people. These are visited as often as is necessary,
according to their circumstances, needs and wishes.
Many lonely old folk have come to regard the Council's
visitors as friends and look forward to their visits.
Much loneliness has been ameliorated by persuading them
to join Old People's Clubs and on many occasions the
Visitors have taken them in their own cars and introduced
them at such clubs. 'Breaking the ice' in this way has
been of great benefit to many who have thus found a new
interest in life and made new friends among others with
whom they have much in common.
Home Bathing
This is a service which fulfils a real need and is
appreciated by the recipients. The cleansing station
attendant who visits the old people's homes to assist
them to have a bath is looked upon as a friend and is
gratefully welcomed. Requests for this service are
usually received from hospitals and district nursing
associations, but the consent of the person's own doctor
is always sought before providing bathing assistance at