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Whenever the Department's visitors called on Mrs. C. every endeavour was
made to interest her in entering a Welfare Home as her general health was
deteriorating. Eventually she was persuaded to enter a Welfare Home voluntarily
in December, 1957, and was conducted to the Home by a member of the Public
Health Department staff.
CASE No. 3.
Miss H. (83 years).
This case has similar features to the one previously quoted in that there was a
general deterioration resulting in self-neglect, due in this instance to old age rather
than mental incapability. The Council's Health Officer tried to persuade Miss H.
to enter either a private or a County Home, without success. Difficulty was
experienced in supplying essential services owing to inability to gain access to the
premises. Eventually home bathing was arranged and a Council's nurse dealt with
soiled linen through the Special Laundry Service and made essential food purchases
for Miss H. The health of this old lady gradually deteriorated and, although she
was adamant about not going away, the Health Officer eventually persuaded her to
enter Hospital. After treatment Miss H. was transferred to the "long stay" annexe
of the Hospital and, at the end of the year was still there, showing an improvement
in health.
CASE No. 4.
Mr. P. (84 years).
This is an example where only the untiring efforts of the Public Health Department
Staff, an excellent home help and frequent visits from parishioners of the local
church, made it possible for this old man to remain in his own home. Mr. P.'s wife
was at first reasonably capable of caring for her husband, who had had a Stroke and
was bedfast and also partially sighted. Following Mrs. P.'s admission to hospital
(where she still remained at the end of the year), Mr. P. was found to require urgent
care and attention. With the assistance of the above-mentioned services however
there was no necessity for his removal from his own home.
CASE No. 5.
Mrs. E. (80 years).
Two attempts were made to rehabilitate this old lady. Early in 1956, following
the receipt of a complaint, her flat was found to be in an insanitary and verminous
condition. With the Co-operation of the Public Health Inspector and the owners
of the property, Mrs. E. was moved to adjacent accommodation and supplied with
new bed, bedding and floor covering by the National Assistance Board. However,
Mrs. E. reverted to her previous habits. Her home became verminous, she herself
was filthy and, from the appearance of her room, it seemed as if she had continuously
eaten out of tins and strewn these and every other type of rubbish around her. The
Old People's Health Officer persuaded Mrs. E. to attend the Council's Treatment
Centre for bathing purposes and, having gained her confidence, obtained consent for
access to her premises for the purpose of disinfestation and clearance of rubbish.
Mrs. E. continued to attend the Centre regularly where she was given clean clothes
on each occasion and her soiled linen dealt with through the Special Laundry Service.
Mrs. E. also eventually agreed to accept the London County Council Home Help
Service. Cooking and cleaning utensils were provided, and the National Assistance
Board again helped with a new mattress and floor covering.
As a point of interest, when the Home Help commenced operating, a number
of torn and filthy pieces of one pound notes was found. On presentation to the
Bank of England (and after the prescribed period of six months) the sum of £25
was allowed for the benefit of Mrs. E.