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187
Geriatric Adviser to the Council
In his Circular 10/65, the Minister of Health pointed out that,
although the various Health and Welfare Services for the elderly are
not under one authority, their purpose is to provide what is essentially
a single service for each individual who needs it.
There are indications that, despite every effort made to the
contrary, much undiagnosed illness and undisclosed disability in
the elderly exists.
It was clear that early recognition of changes in the physical
or mental condition of our old folk in the Council's homes would be
most satisfactorily achieved by a doctor responsible both to the
hospital and to the local authority. This desire for a closer association
between the Health and Welfare department and the hospitals'
geriatric services was satisfied by the decision of the Council to
appoint the Consultant Geriatrician at the Greenwich District Hospital
(St. Alfege's Wing) as its geriatric adviser on its own services
for the elderly. This appointment has led to a situation where each
elderly person now receives appropriate care from the appropriate
authority.
Geriatric Units
Since 1st April, 1965, close links with the Geriatric Units in the
Borough have been further strengthened and regular discussions at
the St. Alfege's Hospital Staff Meetings give rise to greater understanding
of common problems.
Holiday Relief for Relatives
Many families provide full-time care for seriously infirm elderly
relatives and well deserve any possible support in this task. The
Council therefore decided to give increased publicity to its scheme
for providing temporary accommodation for such old people, in
order to enable their relatives to take a holiday. A total of 43
elderly people were admitted to the Old People's Homes under this
scheme, generally for a period of two weeks.
As the result of a combined effort of trained staff and voluntary
help, some 57 old people who also had considerable disability were
enabled to enjoy a holiday under the Council's Avery Hill Holiday
Scheme, and their relatives afforded a much needed break. Some
10% of these cases were over 90 years of age and almost a half
were homebound. Their disabilities ranged from arthritis and
cardiac disease to hypertensive confusion and post-stroke problems
and, in a number of cases, these were accompanied by other conditions
such as blindness, depression, obesity and extreme frailty.