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21
WELFARE OF OLD PEOPLE
At the close of the year, 1076 persons were on the registers of the
Public Health Department.
In investigating the circumstances and conditions peculiar to each
aged person, the Council's officers at all times exercise commendable tact,
and fully appreciate that despite ill-health in many cases, people are
perfectly contented if they can remain in familiar surroundings, and at
the same time be aware that every effort will be made to ensure their wellbeing.
The Borough Council makes a grant of £450 yearly to the Chelsea
Old People's Welfare Committee, which is representative of and co-ordinates
the activities of voluntary organisations working in this sphere of
public service. It is obviously impossible to refer to all the
facilities offered, but the following matters will illustrate the variety
of assistance available for the well-being of those in need:-
Provision of Hot Meals. This service is efficiently administered
by the Women's Voluntary Services from Monday to Friday in each week, and
during the year, 12,450 meals were delivered, or an average weekly supply
of 239. In 1956 the respective figures were 12,570 and 241. The receipt
of hot meals at a regular hour was welcomed by all concerned.
Chiropody. 133 persons were recommended for the services provided
by two qualified chiropodists, as compared with 130 and 138 in the two
preceding years. This facility is in great demand and there has been,
for some time, a waiting list for treatment.
Holidays. The continuance of this scheme resulted in 70 persons
having pleasant stays either at the sea or in the country. The majority
stayed at homes controlled by the Women's Holiday Fund, whilst others
had one or two weeks at the Lloyd Thomas Home of Rest at Highgate. In
some instances, transport was provided to convey people to and from holiday
centres, and quite frequently escorts travelled to and from railway stations.
Library and Shopping Facilities, continued to be maintained by the
British Red Cross Society, and the weekly visits by their officers are
eagerly awaited by those whose disabilities prevent them getting out and
about. This Society also provides escorts, when necessary, to accompany
persons attending hospital for treatment. Shopping facilities are provided
by the Women's Voluntary Services.
Difficulty in securing hospital accommodation for the chronic sick
continues, whilst the happy relationship between the Council's officers and
hospital authorities brought about the admission of 104 men and women
during the year. It is pleasing to record that the patient efforts of
hospital rehabilitation departments have resulted in people returning to
their homes ready to live normal lives again.