View report page

75
Mrs. C. (67 years)
Mrs. C. was always a most difficult case to deal with but this was mainly
due to her very poor health and the fact that her condition was aggravated by
the basement accommodation to which she returned from Hospital. As the premises
were subject to a Closing Order no improvements could be made to her room and
she was unwilling to return to Hospital for treatment or to consider entering a
Home. She would tolerate services for a limited period only and then refuse to
open the door to any callers
However, with patience and persistence (together with a regard to Mrs C! s
wishes as to what time calls should be made) domiciliary services i.e. home help,
meals on wheels and home bathing were maintained The Council was eventually able
to offer Mrs C. alternative accommodation in a self-contained Council flat This
offer was at first refused but eventually accepted and the Public Health Department
staff gave every assistance in helping her to change accommodation and to get her
settled in her new home
Although she still complains from time to time Mrs C appears reasonably happy
in her flat and the services indicated above are being maintained
National Assistance Act, 1948, Section 31
" Meals-on-Wheels" and Lunch Clubs
This Section of the Act permits Local Authorities to make contributions to the funds
of any voluntary organisation whose activities include the provision of recreation or meals
for old people. Grants were approved for "Meals-on-Wheels" services operated by the Women's
Voluntary Service and the Islington Old People's Welfare Council
Meals supplied during the year were as follows
on-Wheels
Women's Voluntary Service 7,186 j
Islington Old Peoples Welfare Council g
| 18,911 meals
> cooked by
Lunch Clubs { NALGO, Town Hall
\ Canteen)
Gifford Hall Mission Welcome Club 3,840 j
Caxton House Settlement ... 1,394 >
A lunch club at St. Giles Christian Mission, Bride Street. N 7 also produced 2 438 meals
with the help of their own voluntary workers and Council grant aid
It is obvious from the figures given above of the number of meals supplied to elderly
persons who would otherwise have had either no meal or a very unsatisfactory one that the
meals service is now quite extensive and useful Nevertheless, the operation of the "Meals-onWheels"
vans is limited, since the number of voluntary helpers upon which the service depends
to a considerable degree is also limited and a very great burden is thrown upon those who are
prepared to give up some of their time around mid-day so that others may obtain a warm mid-day
meal. The service is also restricted by reason of the fact that it is not possible at present
to provide more than two meals per week to any one person, and new applicants can only be put
on the list after a waiting period. The nutritional value of the service would be greatly
improved by increasing the number of meals provided per person and it is hoped that this
development may be possible in the future.
Holidays for Elderly Persons
By means of a scheme administered through the Old People's Welfare Council 532 persons
were able to enjoy a holiday by the sea, or in the country at greatly reduced cost where
their circumstances were such that it would not have been possible for them to take a holiday
at their own expense. A substantial grant was provided by the Borough Council for this scheme