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Distribution is effected mainly via Old People's Clubs, which
make regular purchases of foods such as Ovaltine, Marmite,
Horlicks, Bovril, Ribena, Complan and Supro for resale to their
members at a discount price. Sales are also made from the
W.R.V.S. Offices at Woolwich, Citizens' Advice Bureau at Eltham,
the Burney Street Welfare Centre at Greenwich and certain Lunch
Clubs.
Supplies are restricted to persons of pensionable age and only in
sufficient quantities considered reasonable for that person's own
consumption. For this purpose, the old person is issued with a
Registration Card. Relatives and friends may purchase supplies
on behalf of a homebound elderly person on production of this
Registration Card.
During the year, sales of Nutritional Supplements to retirement
pensioners were averaging £14,000 per annum.
Housing
Recognising the importance of housing circumstances in the
lives of our aged residents, regular consultation takes place between
the Public Health Officers and representatives of the Housing
Departments of this and the Greater London Councils. Furthermore,
active participation in the selection of elderly persons for
residence in local almshouses and Housing Society properties is
also undertaken by the department's officers.
Physical Aids
A number of conditions arising as a result of old age are assisted
by the use of simple aids and arrangements have been made for
Women Public Health Officers to authorise issue of such articles in
a similar manner as loans of medical equipment.
Publicity
It was found that many old people had little or no knowledge
of the local services available to them. To help remedy this situation
the Council has distributed 16,000 copies of a booklet specially
prepared as a guide to the services available to elderly people. In
addition, the Department has issued a comprehensive guide to the
Health and Welfare Services to all local general practitioners,
hospitals, statutory and voluntary organisations and to all workers
in the health, welfare and social fields. Revision of the Guide has
been delayed on several occasions pending clarification of the
likely effects of recent legislation on the Department's integrated
structure.