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A grant was made to each of the homes or to the Finsbury Old
People's Welfare Committee, to cover the cost including the railway or
coach fare, and their necessary travelling expenses, less that amount
which the individual was required to contribute.
Holidays were provided in this way for about 401 persons in 1963,
comprising 106 men and 295 women of which 32 Were married couples, at
a total cost to the Council of £3,953 Holidays were provided at
Brighton, Bognor Leigh-on-Sea, Clacton, Margate, Worthing, Chigwell
(Essex) and Herne Bay
The Scheme has proved an unqualified success as was evidenced by
the large number of appreciative letters received, and in other ways.
I am of the opinion that a holiday benefits considerably the
permanent health of the individual, builds up the body for the winter
months and is of considerable value socialogically. All this apart from
the pleasure and enjoyment given to the aged persons at the time.
(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 has 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.
35.