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43 -
WELFARE OF OLD PEOPLE
The Borough Council shews a keen interest in the circumstances and
conditions under which elderly people are living.The great majority
of them, despite infirmity, much prefer to remain in their own homes,
and every effort is therefore made to ensure their happiness.
An annual grant of £350 is made to the Chelsea Old People's Welfare
Committee which is representative of and co-ordinates the activities of
voluntary organisations engaged in this sphere of public service.
At the close of the year, 885 persons were on the Council's list.
When it is considered that the respective totals for 1951 and 1950 were
613 and 106, it will be apparent that the Council is endeavouring to
make certain that the enjoyment of facilities of every conceivable nature
is fully realised. The following brief comments will give some
indication of the wide variety of services available:-
Provision of Hot Meals. This service is efficiently administered
by the Women's Voluntary Services from Monday to Thursday in each week.
In 1951, the average weekly distribution was 220, a figure which
represented the maximum attainable with equipment then available.
Last year 10,725 meals were delivered to the homes of old people, or, on
an average, 260 per week. Recipients were most appreciative of this
arrangement, and if it was not operative it is quite certain that a
high percentage of those now enjoying hot meals would merely consume
what would be considered as "make-do" meals.
Chiropody. 86 persons (34 in 1951) took advantage of the
availability of a qualified chiropodist, and received 369 treatments,
an increase of 141 over the number given in 1951.
Holidays. Pleasant holidays arranged by the Honorary Secretary
of the Chelsea Old People's Welfare Committee were much enjoyed by 65
old people. The majority stayed at homes controlled by the Women's
Holiday Fund; others had a restful stay at the Lloyd Thomas Home.
Highgate.
Library and Shopping facilities are maintained by the British Red
Cross Society, whose efforts are gratefully acknowledged by those who
can only go out and about with difficulty. The Society also provides
escorts when it is necessary for sick persons to proceed for treatment
at hospitals.
The problem of securing hospital accommodation for the chronic
sick continues to be difficulty but the cordial relationship existing
has enabled fifty-seven men and women to gain admission. In some
instances it is pleasing to record that the efforts of hospital
rehabilitation departments resulted in a return home to lead a normal
life.