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(i) cared for by relatives or friend who needs occasional
relief;
(ii) cared for by younger relatives out at work all day;
(iii) living entirely alone,
(iv) in hospital and able to return home only if care is
provided.
All these need more help and supervision than is available, and could
be helped by the following services:-
(a) Day Care Service. A sitter-in gœs in for a regular period
each week and is paid for the actual time he or she stays, to enable a
relative or friend to get a break. Such a service meets the need of
most in category (i). Continuous care of a sick and aged person over
a long period can be most exhausting, and if relief is not given, the
relative or friend can break down and this may result in two people
having to be cared for.
(b) Good Neighbour Service. This provides for those for whom a
'Sitter-in' is not practical or necessary, Many of the people live in
one room or in accommodation not suitable for another person to sit in
for a long time. Also somebody sitting and talking can be pleasant
for a short time, but too long can be a burden on both. These people
really need a friend or neighbour who can 'pop in' regularly (particularly
on days when there is no Home Help) to see they are alright,
have not fallen or become ill, to call the doctor or health officer if
necessary, to get in shopping, see they have food to eat, and get a
light meal (especially at times when no Meals on Wheels are provided),
to attend to fires and check safety of heaters and gas; and to give
the kind of friendship and help one might expect of a relative if he
or she were available This regular daily care,unobtrusive supervision
and very personal friendship cannot be given by acentrally placed worker
with a large number of people to attend to.
A 'Good Neighbour' pops in from time to time as arranged, and is
paid for a service, rather than time spent; though naturally this is
taken into account.
The service which is still in its infancy has operated very satisfactorily
during 1963, and has without doubt done much to meet the needs
set out above, in respect of the small number of cases in which the
Social Workers and others have considered the provision of the Day Care
Service desirable.
3. Barber and Hairdresser Service (F.O.P.W.C): The Committee provided
a domiciliary Barber service (Haircutting and Shaving) for elderly men
who were housebound or bedridden. This was essentially a restricted
service for men for whom no other arrangements were possible. There was
no charge to the elderly and the Committee paid the Barbers fees. Very
substantial use was made of this service during 1963.
4. Christmas Parcels (F.O.P.W.C): Many of the elderly have been
provided each Christmas with a parcel of groceries and other suitable
38.