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157
Immediately on the closure of the hotel at 31st December,
1965, arrangements were made to carry out extensive works of
adaptation which included the installation of a lift, central heating
in part of the hotel, the formation of a main entrance to serve the
whole hotel and the provision of a special unit for up to 18
physically handicapped and infirm guests. On the completion of
the work in the Autumn of 1966, the accommodation will then all
be of a very high standard and will cater for almost 2,000 guests
annually including not only the active but also the infirm and the
physically handicapped.
Holiday Relief for Relatives
A scheme for the holiday relief of relatives has the complete
support of the Welfare Committee and arrangements were made
for a number of aged persons to be cared for during their relatives'
holiday period. In fact, this care also resolved itself into a holiday
for the elderly themselves for, under arrangements made by the
Council, they were accommodated at Avery Hill College, Eltham.
during the summer recess.
Under these arrangements, use was made of students' ground
floor single rooms to provide some 75 homebound old people with
very comfortable quarters and full nursing assistance and care.
The holiday stay included a full recreational programme and
the department's special transport conveyed the elderly to and from
their homes and to the social outings arranged during the fortnight.
All were thoroughly appreciated by the old people enjoying their
'holiday break' among the semi-rural surroundings of the college.
A major feature of the scheme was the invaluable assistance given by
voluntary helpers, many of whom were senior members of schools
in the vicinity.
Mobile Meals
During 1965, the effectiveness of the Mobile Meals Service
was extended still further and at the end of the year a 5-days-perweek'
service was planned for all elderly people in the Borough in
need of it. Implementation was dependent upon the delivery of two
new vans ordered for this purpose.
Intensive visiting revealed a marked rise in the demand for this
service among the increasing elderly population of the new
Borough and, to meet this need, the Welfare Committee decided to
purchase two new minibuses and three 6 cwts. vans. Because of
the acute shortage of voluntary help during the midday period it
became necessary to increase the part-time staff employed on this
service.