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Bathing Service
This very personal service which is much appreciated by the
elderly who view it also as a social occasion to have a chat and a
cup of tea in a congenial atmosphere, expanded still further during
1967. The additional unit opened at Lionel Road during 1966 to
add to those already operating at Tunnel Avenue and Plumstead
Baths proved most successful.
The functions of this service, which are two-fold, are carried
out as originally envisaged in accordance with Section 43 of the
London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1953.
Home Bathing—Such a service was introduced for elderly
persons not ill enough to need a District Nurse but, owing to
varying disabilities, require assistance; these include a small number
of all age groups, who due to some crippling deformity are unable
to cope either on their own or with help from relatives.
Bathing at Bathing Centres—Elderly people who are concerned
with this service are conveyed to the centres by minibus and they
consist of those persons who have inadequate bathing facilities at
home coupled with blindness, failing sight or suffer with other
physical disabilities. Hair-washing and pedicure have become
indispensable off-shoots of the bathing service for although many
old people are able to bath themselves they lack the range of movement
and dexterity to perform these very necessary personal
functions.