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15
The increasing demand for the service from all in touch with
the aged proves its place in the alleviation of distress and suffering of those ill, and of preventing additional illness because
of their immobility.
Requests are received from doctors, nurses, welfare associations, relatives and others and are assessed largely on the health
position of the applicant.
There can be no doubt of the worth of the Laundry service and
the fact that no deterioration is the rule after our visits emphasises its value with the frail and aged.
It must be emphasised that this is an essential service which
covers only those cases falling within the terms of section 122 of
the Public Health (London) Act 1936.
During the year 34 new cases were added to the list of patients
and 350 certificates were slgned authorising the laundering of bed
linen etc. This is an increase of 215% over last year.
The patients were revisited at intervals of two or three
months and the old people are not slow in showing their appreciation.
Often by discussing their problems it is possible to bring other
means of help to them and invalid meals and home helps are thus
brought in.
Despite incontinence no patient developed bed sores after the
start of the service, although the average age of all cases was 76.4
years. Only 4 patients were under 70 years of age.
One male patient of 92 years, after six months in bed, recovered
sufficiently to attend to his own toilet. Another female patient aged
83 years with very little movement in her fixed flexed legs after
over five years in bed still has a healthy skin. In 12 other cases the
service enabled patients to be admitted to hospital in a much better
condition for further treatment that would otherwise not have been
possible.