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158
ment will need to take account of these and other changes especially
those following implementation of the G.L.C's housing scheme on
the Plumstead Marshes.
At present there are some 9,000 elderly persons in the Borough
subject to geriatric visiting or in receipt of other departmental
services, a figure which represents 25% of the estimated total of all
male residents over the age of 65 years and females over 60 years.
The size of this register indicates the large majority of our pensionable
people are reasonably fit and well and, with our emphasis on the
preventive aspects and with judicious use of the domiciliary services,
it is our earnest endeavour to maintain or even improve on the
present position. A 'mobile body is a healthy body' is a truism which
moves the geriatric services to ensure that the elderly are encouraged
to make the maximum use of their facilities, to remain active, to
have a proper diet, to have regular social contacts, to have a high
standard of personal hygiene and not to lapse into apathy or despair.
Visiting
All services relevant to those elderly with diminished physical
and/or mental activity germinate from skilled and diligent visiting.
Great emphasis is therefore placed on visiting by highly qualified
officers. The relationships established by the visitors with the old
people influence the attitude which the elderly adopt to our efforts
made to help and assist them and the first visits or contacts can
make the difference between success and failure.
Visits made during 1966 amounted to 24,549, a fall of almost
one third from those of the previous year. This is wholly accounted
for by the considerable shortage of qualified staff for, although an
establishment exists for 11 public health officers, the actual visiting
strength was only 7. In consequence, average case loads for the
geriatric visitors rose, in most instances, from the usual 800/900 to
over 1,000. Therefore, during the year, in order to husband the
department's visiting strength, further decentralisation of staff
became a necessity. Travelling time was saved and opportunities to
foster even closer relationships with cases were increased by placing
some public health officers in accommodation located within their
own particular areas. At the end of the current year, offices for geriatric
visitors were in use at the Abbey M. & C.W. Centre, Lionel
Road Bathing Centre and at Eltham Library. Plans for the use of
appropriate accommodation at Plumstead Baths are nearly complete.
To cater for any sudden emergencies, daily contact is maintained
with headquarters. Because of staff shortages, priority had to be
afforded to the homebound and those considered to be at risk.
Elderly People in Receipt of Visits and Other Services
Number in Register at 1st January, 1966 8,120
Number in Register at 31st December, 1966 9,006