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118
Once again the statistics reflect the amount of service being
given to the elderly people which amounted to 83% of the total.
The figures indicate the value of the home help service in enabling
us to keep our old and infirm people within the community and
their admission to a Council Home or a hospital is delayed until
there is really no alternative.
One startling increase has been in the chronic sick and tuberculous
group which advanced by 76.6%, a fact which was
undoubtedly due to the publicity accompanying the introduction
of the Chronic Sick and Disabled Persons Act during the current
year.
Recruitment of suitable home helps continues to be difficult.
Family Aids
"Family Aids" were attached to family caseworkers employed
to give intensive help to families who, for various reasons, were
unable to benefit from the normal supportive social services.
Child and Home Help Courses
One important feature of our Home Help Service, namely the
"in service" training course, was found to be unnecessary during
the current year but the Annual Weekend School was attended by
2 Home Help Organisers and 2 Assistant Home Help Organisers
represented the department at week-long seminars.
Health Visiting
Our Health Visiting Service continues to give a priority care
to the ante-natal mother, the new-born infant and the pre-school
child. Within this range, a preventive service diminishes the effect
of risk periods throughout the remainder of life for healthy physical,
mental and emotional development at the beginning of
existence increases an individual's quality potential.
Home visiting gives families the time and opportunity to discuss
their problems and anxieties with a health visitor who is able
to help them express their feelings and to assess their need for
counsel.
Services were continued on similar lines to those of previous
years and the following table summarises the visiting carried out
during 1970:—