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Old People's Welfare
The Old People's Welfare Committee , comprising representatives
of the Council and the various local organisations and social settlements ,
continued to provide all possible assistance to old people in the Borough by the
provision of clubs, meals-on-wheels , chiropody , holidays and outings, etc.
During the year, the Council appointed two State Registered
Nurses to the staff of the Public Health Department. In addition , an Assistant
Visitor on the staff of the Old People's Welfare Committee also came under
the control of the Medical Officer of Health. These members of the staff carry
out the statutory duties of the Council with regard to aged and infirm persons and
are responsible to the Medical Officer of Health for providing such detailed
supervision of infirm persons as he may direct, with particular reference to those
who are homehound and even confined to bed. There is close liaison with the
Old People's Welfare Committee , the London County Council, the National
Assistance Board , medical practitioners, hospitals , etc, etc , for the provision
of any necessary services required by old people in this Borough. It is estimated
that there are some 8,000 aged persons in Bethnal Green.
A record of all old people in the Borough is being compiled and an
initial visit made to assess need, if any, and to assist with any problems. At
many of these initial visits it is found that the aged persons concerned are not in
need of any assistance and, indeed, it is often found that they are still working.
These cases are to be visited yearly. On the other hand, many instances were
found during the year where aged persons were in need of help and, in some cases
in urgent need of care and attention. These latter were usually homebound and
lived alone without relatives or friends to visit them and were often unaware of
the many services available to them.
In addition to the Home Bathing Service and the Laundry Service
for Incontinent Persons, mentioned elsewhere in this report, a Library Service
for Homebound Aged Persons is now in operation with the kind co-operation of
the Council's Public Libraries Department and students from Queen Mary's
College. The Council has also recently given approval for a Day Care Service
for the Aged and Infirm whereby it is proposed to arrange visits by "Good
Neighbours" to suitable cases when they will provide companionship, prepare
a light meal and undertake other tasks for the comfort and welfare of the
aged person concerned. This service will be provided to those homebound
aged persons who live alone and who are frail, confused, sick or handicapped ,
and who need more help than the existing domiciliary services, either voluntary
or statutory, can provide. It is hoped that these visits will give the lonely old
person the comfort and security of knowing that there is at least one person upon
whom they can rely. A small payment will be made to the "Good Neighbour"
for her services.