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(h) Cleansing: Occasional cleansing services have been provided
for those aged persons where their accommodation has been allowed
to become so dirty and unwholesome that it had become beyond
their capabilities to get it clean again, although possibly able
with or without the aid of a domestic help, to keep it at least
for a time sanitary, once it had been cleansed.
(i) Chiropody:
(1) There is a satisfactory chiropody clinic in the Health
Centre, administered by the London County Council, which is
available for the elderly as well as for others.
(2) A domiciliary service (F.O.P.W.C.) has been 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. 551 visits were paid in 1961 and pensioners of all
ages up to 96 have received benefit from them.
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.
(j) S.O.S. Cards (F.O.P.W.C.): The S.0.S. Card Scheme operated
by the Committee in the borough has functioned very successfully
as in the past. No use however, was made of the Scheme during
the year under review.
The purpose of the Scheme is to enable old people living alone
to contact someone outside their home in an emergency. The Scheme
besides having apractical value also has a comfort value, as many
of the aged express the sense of security which possession of the
card affords them.
(k) Clubs: There are a number of clubs for the elderly in the
Borough, and most of these have remained available throughout the
period under review. The majority of them meet once a week and
sometimes more often, and various social activities are organised
in connection with them. Several are closely associated with
religious organisations:
The following may be listed:-
Womens' Voluntary Service, 68 Exmouth Market, E.C.1.
Clerkenwell & Islington Medical Mission, Woodbridge Street, E.C.1.
Field Lane Community Centre, 32 Cubitt Street, W.C.1.
Finsbury Mission, Moreland Street, E.C.1.
Leysian Mission, 112 City Road, E.C.1.
Claremont Central Mission, White Lion Street, N.1.
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