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(f) Laundry: This service was continued for the Chronic Sick who were
unable by reason of ill-health, senility etc., to keep their personal
and domestic laundry in a state of cleanliness required to ensure a
healthy environment. The articles are collected on Monday, disinfected,
checked and sent to a commercial laundry, returned again, checked and
redelivered on Friday or Saturday of the same week. A varying number of
about 45 to 50 persons have in this way been able to retain their clothes
and bed linen in a wholesome condition.
(g) Bathing: Baths have been provided free of charge at the Health Centre
to those aged persons who. on account of their condition, cannot use the
existing Public Baths. An attendant has been available to help with
dressing and undressing and to render assistance if this is necessary.
In 1960 a bathing attendant was appointed to visit the infirm
elderly in their own homes, and there wash and bath them as possible, and
according to the circumstances. This has proved a very valuable service
and has helped many of the elderly to keep themselves clean, comfortable
and respectable. In April 1961 an additional bathing attendant was
appointed to cope with the increased demand for the service. It has also
relieved the pressure on the Home Nursing Services which previously
undertook these duties for those who might be described as sick. It does
not of course, undertake the bathing of those for whom a skilled and
trained nurse is required. It was found that the attendant could undertake
about 20-24 cases each week; in most cases bathing was carried out
weekly for those for whom the service was provided.
(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. 0. 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. 726
visits were paid in 1962 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.
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