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In the remaining cases, amenities were provided in numerous
instances and included provision of nursing by the District
Nursing Association, home help, visits by the Welfare Organiser
of the Hammersmith Old People's Welfare Association and the
provision of invalid meals.
Although much is being done in many ways in assisting
elderly persons, the problem of the ageing population and
people compelled to live alone in very unsatisfactory conditions
continues.
Many of the cases reported are not sufficiently ill to warrant
admission to hospital, and yet are too infirm for admission to an
institution, and it is at this time that they most require help
and assistance. There is a tendency, also, for elderly persons
who have no relatives to help them, to dig their toes in and
insist on remaining where they are.
Burial or Cremation of the Dead.
It is provided that the local authority shall arrange burial
or cremation in the case of any person who has died or been
found dead in the Borough, in any case where it appears to
the authority that no suitable funeral arrangements have been
or are being made.
The Council may recover from the estate of the deceased
person or from any person who, for the purpose of this Act, was
liable to maintain the deceased person immediately before his
death, expenses incurred for the burial or cremation. During
the year seventeen burials have been carried out in Hammersmith
at a total cost of £218 13s. 0d. Of this amount £146 has been
recovered.
Hammersmith Old People's Welfare Association.
The Hammersmith Old People's Welfare Association which
discovers and meets the needs of necessitous old persons
continued to make great progress during the year.
Up to the end of the year approximately 950 cases were on
the records of the Association, nearly double that of last year,
and new cases continue to be brought to the notice of the
Association daily.
For the financial year 1952/53, a grant of £3,000 was made
by the Council to the Association, and at the time of writing
provision has been made for this amount to be increased to
£4,500 for the year 1953/4.
The Association's sphere of activity embraces party holidays
at the seaside, three luncheon clubs, domiciliary meals to the
needy, a chiropody service, free legal advice and social visitation
on a very large scale.
Very much good work is being done and the expansion which
has taken place during the year will undoubtedly continue.