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is often a joy to see an old person walk into a clinic who, previous to chiropody
treatment, had been completely home-bound.
The Association would like to thank all the chiropodists who continue to
give such valuable service in alleviating one of the main needs of the elderly
and to thank all the receptionists who give their unfailing voluntary help to the
chiropody service.
Boarding-out Scheme
This Service has proved of value to a limited number of old people, but
its progress is slow. In some cases it has proved satisfactory, but in other
cases the old person has not been acceptable to the hostess, or vice-versa. Many
families are not prepared to accept an old person into their home because of the
fear of their becoming more infirm and needing much more attention than they are
prepared to give; this is one of the difficulties which we have to try to overcome.
We would repeat what was said when this Service was introduced - the
success of it can never be judged by numbers; it is a work that needs infinite
patience and care, and the delicate matching up of the elderly person and hostess
cannot be hurried. There is a tremendous amount to be done in this field because
so many old people are living the closing years of their life in loneliness and
isolation, but one wonders whether the answer is the need to concentrate on
providing more independent quarters - for example, a bed-sitting room with some
cooking facilities. Everyone likes their own independence sometimes, and this
seems the ideal way of providing it.
Lambeth Centre for the Elderly
This purpose built unit caters for the needs of the elderly living in close
proximity to the centre.. It is a two storey building with the workrooms on
ground floor. The second floor is used mainly as a rest or recreation centre.
At the time of going to press, we had 58 on the roll (51 women, 7 men)
During the past year we have had more varied jobs. Work has included assembling
dolls' clothing on cards for a well-known toy manufacturer; packing foil wrapped
chocolates into plastic containers for export; and various kinds of advertising
literature. This greater variety of work is much appreciated by the old People
All members received a food parcel at Christmas. The traditional dinner
was held on New Years Day at which the Chairman presided. Games were organised
in the lounge after lunch when members competed for prizes. This was followed
by tea, sandwich and cakes. A happy time was had by all.
We have had two outings this year, one full day and one half day, and in
spite of poor weather, the members enjoyed themselves.
At the Annual Conference of the Employment Fellowship a very colourful and
varied display of work was shown from the Centre. Many enquiries were made from
people who were about to start similar Centres in their own districts.