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17
There were no compulsory removals to suitable premises during
1956 of persons in need of care and attention under Section 47 of the
National Assistance Act, 1948.
Finsbury Old People's Welfare Committee:
The work of the voluntary organisations is co-ordinated as far as
possible by the Finsbury Old People's Welfare Committee which consists
of representatives of most of the bodies who are concerned with the
elderly and of which I am privileged to be Hon. Secretary. It
operates, therefore in close association with the services provided
by the Council and has received from the latter financial grants each
year.
Apart from the co-ordination of other voluntary bodies it has
under its aegis inaugurated the following services
Domiciliary Chiropody Service:
This service is provided free of charge for those aged persons
who are unable by reason of senility, chronic sickness etc. to attend
personally the Foot Clinic at the Health Centre and has proved of
great benefit to the elderly.
245 visits were paid during 1956. The ages of the persons
visited ranged from 63 to 96 years.
This service has proved well justified in so far as it has
enabled the aged and infirm to get about at home in reasonable comfort
and do things for themselves, and so retain the independence essential
to their mental and physical well being.
It is also of interest to record that, as in previous years,
numerous voluntary donations of small amounts were received from aged
persons receiving domiciliary chiropody service as an expression of
their appreciation of the service provided and the benefits secured.
Mending Scheme for the Aged:
This Scheme provides in association with the Finsbury Employment
Scheme for the Elderly a Mending Service for the aged. There is a
definite need for this service which effects repairs to such items of
clothing as socks underclothes etc., and is particularly useful in
respect of the male aged living alone. Substantial use was made of
the Scheme during the year., There is no charge to the aged.