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Difficulty in securing hospital accommodation for the chronic
sick continues, but happy relationships have been maintained between
the Council's officers and hospital authorities from whom willing
co-operation and assistance has been received. It is pleasing to
record that the patient efforts of hospital rehabilitation
departments have resulted in many people being able to resume normal
home life.
Institutional care became necessary for 7 persons, all of whom
settled down quite readily to a communal life.
The Women's Voluntary Services and other kind donors have
continued to distribute much needed clothing to recommended cases,
and 241 persons were so helped in this manner during the year as
compared with 266 in 1958. The National Assistance Board also gives
every sympathy to persons in distress, and makes grants which ensure
the securing of essential items.
Many people were found to be in enfeebled conditions, and unable
to care for themselves. Personal cleansing was arranged and at the
same time their rooms were cleansed and superfluous items disposed of.
A laundry service has been inaugurated by the Council with the
valued co-operation of Fulham Borough Council. Soiled linen is
collected twice weekly from the homes of incontinent persons, and
delivered to Fulham's Disinfecting Station where it is laundered and
later collected for return to those using the scheme. During the year
the service was provided for 19 persons, and some 3,967 pounds of
bedding, etc., were laundered.
Christmas Dinners. Through the kindness of voluntary subscribers
and a working committee, sufficient funds were secured to provide 500
housebound and lonely old folk with a two-course Xmas dinner, a miniature
bottle of brandy, sweets, biscuits, and "a shilling for the,gas". The
entire distribution was carried out on Christmas Eve.
The Council's Social Worker made 1,494 visits to cases on the
Council's registers. In a number of cases visits were made to people
whilst they were in hospital. Many visits were of a protracted nature,
often necessitating further enquiries, investigation or negotiations
which cannot be adequately represented in a statistical statement.
Old Time Dancing Classes were held on one afternoon each week
with the services of a fully qualified teacher and pianist supplied
and paid for by the London County Council. A fee of l/6d per term
is paid by each old person who attends. Membership of the class has
now reached 62 and all members say that they look forward to this
one afternoon when they can thoroughly enjoy themselves and at the
same time derive great benefit from dancing.
Outings. During the year outings were arranged to the country
through the kindness of various Women's Institutes and the Chelsea
Rotarians. These outings catered for 30 to 60 old people and were