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17
Aged Persons.
The Council continued its very active interest in the Health
and Welfare of that section of the community comprised of men over
65 and women over 60.
Those known to the department were visited regularly according
as their needs were known and every effort was made to give them
help and encouragement in looking after themselves.
Arrangements remained in force for providing nursing services
through the Metropolitan District Nursing Association where
these are certified on behalf of the Council as being required. 1,487
visits were paid in this connection during the year.
Difficulties arose frequently owing to the shortage of hospital
accommodation in securing admission to an institution when
proper care was not obtainable at home. This caused many distressing
circumstances to arise as many old persons live alone and have
no one to care for them in the event of illness. There is an urgent
need for the provision of sick bays where such persons may stay
for short periods to receive attention during minor illnesses as well
as for further hospital provision for more serious cases. Were
this available I believe many persons would be saved from permanent
sickness which results partly from failure to have proper
care in the early stages of diseases such as Acute Bronchitis and
Influenza.
It was not found necessary to make any application under the
National Assistance Act for compulsory removal during the year.
The Council encouraged all Voluntary Organisations in the
Borough to extend the services for meals and recreation. Grants
were made on the basis of reports made to the Council on the work
of each society and amounted in all to £337 10s. od. between five
organisations.
In the summer a new service was brought into operation designed
to preserve the health of the elderly by allowing those sufficiently
strong to benefit from a stay of 2 weeks in the country or at the
seaside. Applications were invited by public announcement and
through variously interested clubs and societies, and these were