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176
The number of elderly persons shown in the Register at the end
of the year, however, shows a decrease. This results from the
abstraction of names of persons who are not subject to regular
visiting and have not received a visit during the current year.
Elderly People in Receipt of Visits and Other Services
Number in Register at 1st January, 1969 8,850
Number in Register at 31st December, 1969 7,831
Elderly Handicapped Persons included in the above Register:
(i) Blind 269
(ii) Partially Sighted 126
(iii) Physically Handicapped 666
1,061
Visits by Women Public Health Officers
Total Visits by Officers during year 19,255
1st Visits 944
Subsequent Visits 15,599
Unsuccessful Visits 2,712
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, operates at 3 Centres, Tunnel
Avenue, Plumstead Baths and Lionel Road.
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.