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64
SERVICES FOR ELDERLY PERSONS
Review of the work of the Old People's Health Officer.
The Old People's Health Officer, Mrs. Montaut, who took up her duties with
the Council on 30th October, 1952, was given the assistance of other staff during
the year on a part'time basis in the visiting of elderly persons.
•
According to the 1951 Census the number of old people—i.e. males and females
over the age of 65 in this Borough, consists of 9,800 men and 16,200 women ; which
is 26,000 out of a total Census population of 235,600 or over 11%. It is estimated
that for the Country as a whole, 12 1/2% of old people live alone and if this figure
is applicable to Islington, there would be approximately 3,250 old persons living by
themselves. There are many reasons for believing that the number of such persons
is greater in a Borough of the character of Islington.
Many difficult cases have to be dealt with, as will be seen, in part, by those
listed in respect of whom Statutory action had to be taken. There are, however,
other difficult cases in which no Statutory action was taken, and the following is an
example illustrating some of the circumstances in which old people may suddenly
find themselves.
A telephone call was received in the Department stating that an old man living
in Popham Street had been without attention for a fortnight, had probably taken
very little, if any, food and was probably seriously ill. The Department's visitor
called and spoke to an elderly man through the door, but the person apparently
fell off the bed while speaking and was rendered unconscious. The person appeared
to have rolled against the door, and the visitor was therefore unable to open it for
fear of causing injury. The Department informed the Police of the circumstances.
A Sanitary Inspector and Police Officer together forced through a window and the
old man was found lying on the floor unconscious. An ambulance was called by the
Police and removal to hospital effected, but the person died the following day.
Number of New Cases visited 871
Total number of re-visits 1,772
Cases compulsorily removed under Magistrate's Order 16
References to other Authorities and Voluntary Associations,
re Home Help, National Assistance, Meals-onWheels,
etc. 1,250
The Health Officer maintains close touch with the London County Council
Divisional Staff, especially in respect of Home-help assistance, with the National
Assistance Board, with the Duly Authorised Officer of the London County Council,
with the Welfare Officer at " Hillside," as may be appropriate. She also attends
meetings of voluntary committees connected with the welfare of the old persons,
old persons clubs, etc., and is steadily building up a valuable register of old persons
dealt with through the Department.