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17
The total number in need of help and including those reported
in previous years is somewhat less than 500, which implies that the
remaining 11 ,500 old people manage their affairs quite effectively
without the intervention of the local authority services. It is,
however, quite certain that of these 11 ,500 another 100 or 150 will,
during the course of 1962, come to require some help. It is at
times pitiful to trace how an old person who has maintained a good
standard has, through illness, often quite a minor illness, had to
reduce the standard and has never been able to regain the lost
ground. Further illness or misfortune reduce the standards still
further until some outside help is given. Help, even of a temporary
nature during and just after an illness could make a great deal of
difference to the comfort of some of these old people if only we
were aware of the need.
In spite of this, our thanks are due to the medical practitioners,
nurses, officers of the National Assistance Board, hospital
almoners, relatives and friends who notify the Public Health
Department of cases where it seems that help is needed.
Thanks are also due to the officers of the London County
Council, particularly those concerned with the home help service.
The number of home helps has never been excessive in Hampstead,
and home helps themselves are subject to seasonal illnesses like
other people so that the most effective use of the home helps available
must at times present some difficult problems. The home
helps themselves give very valuable service and many of them do
far more than they are paid to do. It is encouraging also to see
the kindness which is shown by neighbours or people living in the
same house and the Hampstead landladies in particular are often
exceedingly kind and thoughtful.
One service which is of especial help is the laundry service
provided by the Borough Council. This is a free service for persons
who, through age or illness, are incontinent and by accepting the
responsibility for the most distasteful task of cleansing and
laundering the soiled linen the Council has made it possible for the
patients to remain in their own homes where otherwise their
removal to hospital would be a necessity.