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41
for theholiday and the entertainment provided for them and many
appreciative comments have been made both verbally and in letters
to the Public Health department
WORKROOMS FOR THE ELDERLY-
In July, this project was started at 58 Lansdowne Way and
some forty oldpeople are employed for two hours per day, either
morning or afternoon, for five days per week for which they are
paid 10s- per week.
They are engaged on simpl e employment, such as button carding,
plastic sorting and light assembly work. The old folk are not
pressed but encouraged to give of their best- The scheme is an
attempt to relieve some of the monotony and boredom of old age
and let them feei that they can still do useful work, and in
this respect It nas succeeded as the changes which have taken
place in some of the workers have been truly remarkable, From
being depressed and careless about their personal appearance
they have become cheerful and bright and once again taken an
interest in themselves.
In the latter months of the year it was decided to provide
hot rneals for those who wanted than through the Meals on Wheels
service. This has been much appreciated by the workers and during
the winter months as many as 25 meals were delivered on four
days per week,
VISITING BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH VISITOR
When it became apparent that more time would have to be spent
in the follow up of cases of old folk referred to the Public
Health department by various outside agencies, the Council
agreed to the appointment of a woman injector for this purpose.
Prior to this the temporary Deputy Medical Officer of Health
had devoted much of his time to this wrk.
The officer appointed took up her duties early in August and
she is primarily engaged in the follow up of those cases which
appear to be in danger of social breakdown. Her work does not
cut across that of the Lambeth Old People's Welfare Association
but is complementary to it-
At the time of her appointment records of some 53 old people
were held in this department, and by the end of the year 146
new names had he® added to the register and 452 visits made,
The following table gives an analysis of the new cases by age
and sex.