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20
WELFARE OF OLD PEOPLE
The proportion of elderly persons in the population is steadily
growing, thus calling for greater efforts by local authorities and
voluntary organisations for the provision of domiciliary services.
In Chelsea, the Old People's Welfare Committee is keenly concerned with
the fostering of services which, in many cases, elderly people consider
should be in existence. The Committee also places much importance
in the running of activities by those who are participants. This
results in their gaining a sense of achievement which would most certainly
not have been attainable a few decades back, when elderly people felt
that they could only "look forward" to a condition of stagnation; nowadays
it is realised that a happier and more active life may be enjoyed.
The importance of regular visiting is fully realised, and much
satisfaction is gained by recipients from the knowledge that they are not
merely "on the books" of the local Old People's Welfare Committee.
At the close of the year 1,111 persons were on the registers of the
Public Health Department.
The circumstances and conditions peculiar to each aged person are
under constant investigation by the Council's Officers, and they have
found that despite ill-health in many cases the old people are happy
if they can remain at home, and at the same time be aware that every
effort is being made to ensure their comfort.
The Borough Council makes a grant of £450 yearly to the Chelsea
Old People's Welfare Committee, which is representative of and coordinates
the activities of voluntary organisations working in this
sphere of public service. It is 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 13,474 meals were delivered, or an average weekly
supply of 259. In 1957 the respective figures were 12,450 and 239. It.
is quite certain that this service is greatly appreciated, as it is known
that a high percentage of those now enjoying hot meals would consume what
would be considered as "make do" meals.
Chiropody. 137 persons were recommended for the service provided
by two qualified chiropodists, and the number of treatments given totalled
483. This facility is in great demand, and there is a waiting list for
treatment.
Holidays. Pleasant holidays either at the sea or in the country were
enjoyed by 74 persons. The majority stayed at homes controlled by the
Women's Holiday Fund and others had a restful stay at the Lloyd Thomas Home
of Rest, "Highgate. In the latter case, transport was provided to take them
to and from their homes, and quite frequently escorts travelled to and from
railway stations.