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28
CARE OF THE AGED.
According to the Registrar General's census of 1961 which has
recently become available there were then 12,549 persons aged 65
years and over in the Borough. Also on the authority of the
Ministry of Health Report "The Development of Community
Care " these numbers will increase during the next 20 years by some
32.5 per cent. It is estimated that 10 per cent, (in Paddington some
1,250) of the elderly living at home are housebound. These figures
provide some guide to the extent of the problem in the Borough.
General.—At the end of the year there were 559 (401) names on
the register of old people who are visited regularly. In addition 22
(79) other elderly people were visited but not put on the register as
regular visiting was unnecessary. The two Visitors made 3,283
(3,663) visits and the Public Health Inspectors 28 (25) visits to old
people during the year.
Home bathing.—Sixty-nine (68) persons were given 1,611 (1,665)
baths at home during the year.
Laundering of Linen.—The number of cases being dealt with at
the end of the year by the laundry service was 25 (20). Fifty-two
(59) people received help from the service during the year.
National Assistance Acts.—It was found necessary to apply to
the Court for the compulsory removal to hospital of one person
during the year. He was aged 80, and was infirm and suffering
from malnutrition. In addition he was living in very insanitary
conditions and had no one to look after him. He died in hospital
two weeks after being admitted.
Holiday Home.—The following guests were accommodated at
"Kincardine". Guests stay for a fortnight during January,
February, March and November and for a week during the remainder
of the year.
No. of applications received 829
No. of Guests accommodated 580
Applicants refusing holiday offered:—
Date offered unacceptable 54
Private reasons 41
Illness 72
Death of applicant, friend or relative 12
Removed from borough subsequent to
offer 3
Private holiday taken 7
Obtained employment 4
Applicants not offered a holiday:—
Removed from borough 1
Died 8
Single rooms not available 19
Priority not reached 28
Of the 580 guests accommodated, 142 were having their first
holiday at the Home. At Christmas a further sixteen guests were
selected from seventy-six applicants and spent a week at the Home.