View report page

140
further the area of choice available to an individual so that, when
the time comes, the elderly will be given as wide a choice as is
possible between alternative welfare provisions.
Further measures taken during the year by the Council and
directed towards a more preventive service for the elderly included
an increase in the number of geriatric visitors to eleven. These
officers are now regularly visiting over 9,000 elderly persons known
to be at risk, particular attention being directed to the ill, the infirm,
the home-bound and the isolated. Unfortunately, we cannot yet
claim to know all elderly people in the Borough coming within
these categories although many more old people in need came to
our notice during the current year.
Other measures designed to supplement this preventive work
were contained in the proposals agreed by the Council for the
establishment of 2 geriatric clinics, initially on an experimental
basis, at which apparently healthy elderly people would be medically
examined and any obvious abnormalities followed up with the
patient's own doctor. Another important step taken was the
appointment by the Council of a geriatric adviser who is the
hospital geriatric consultant in the Greenwich area. These matters
are discussed more fully later in the report.
Organised regular visiting for the aged now provided by the
Council is supported by well-developed domiciliary services which
are available to thousands of old people many of whom would
otherwise be needing residential care.
Old people's welfare is a field in which voluntary and statutory
agencies can work very efficiently in close association and this is
exemplified in Greenwich where the Council make full use of the
services of many enthusiastic voluntary workers. It is true to say
that without their support much that we are able to do for the old
people would be extremely difficult if not impossible to achieve.
It is appropriate to mention here that assistance afforded
elderly persons by relatives is often far greater than is realised and
in a great many instances relatives and friends carry enormous
burdens in caring for aged people over prolonged periods.
Undoubtedly, the task of the social services is to supplement, where
necessary, the family system of care and during the last few years
attention has been directed towards alleviating the lot of the single
daughter who, in addition to caring for an aged parent, has to earn