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WELFARE OF OLD PEOPLE.
The investigation of the circumstances and living conditions of
each old person is undertaken by the Borough Council's officers. Every
effort is made to ensure their well-being, with due appreciation of the
fact that in most instances they prefer to remain in familiar surroundings.
The importance of regular visiting is fully realised and greatly
appreciated by the beneficiaries.
At the close of the year 1,149 persons were on the registers of
the Public Health Department.
The Borough Council makes a grant of £4.50 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 list illustrates 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.
During the year 12,971 meals were delivered, or an average weekly supply
of 249. In 1959 the respective figures were 13,048 and 250. The
delivery of hot meals at a regular hour was welcomed by recipients.
Chiropody. 124 persons were recommended for this service provided
by two qualified chiropodists, and the number of treatments given totalled
505. A clinic has now been opened entirely for the use of old age
pensioners at the Chelsea Community Centre. It is staffed by students
from the London County Council's main chiropody clinic in Chelsea. This
clinic is very popular and during the year 492 persons received attention,
involving 1,928 treatments.
Holidays. The continuance of this scheme provided 116 persons
with holidays at the sea or in the country. The majority stayed at homes
controlled by the Women's Holiday Fund, and in a number of cases, escorts
were provided to take people to and from railway stations. Married couples
were accommodated at various seaside resorts early or late in the summer
at special reduced rates for pensioners offered by the Hotel and Boarding
Associations.
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 who are housebound by their disabilities. The
Society also provided 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, 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 people
returning to their homes ready to live normal lives again.