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OLD PEOPLE'S WELFARE
In my Annual Reports of recent years I have outlined in detail
the provision in Hornsey for the care of old people. A great deal
is done by voluntary agencies, and with the continued support of the
Borough Council, the Old People's Welfare Council is carrying out
much valuable work over a wide field among the aged and is able
to guide them in obtaining help from other sources.
The proportion of old people in the community is continuing to
rise and with the serious lack of housing suitable for old people, and
particularly those with some physical handicap, the work of those
associated in the welfare of old people is continuing to increase.
The Health Department is called upon to deal with those cases
where some special difficulty exists, for example, those in which
considerable help is required in persuading or coercing the old
person into removing stores of useless articles, such as old newspapers,
bottles and other articles, cases where for their own good
the person concerned should be admitted to hospital for treatment or
to a home where he can be cared for permanently. During the
year 38 new cases were referred to the department, but happily in
no instance was it found necessary to apply to the Court for compulsory
admission under the National Assistance Act, 1948.
The 38 cases above are not the only ones dealt with during
the year as many of these old people are visited from time to time
over a period of sometimes two to four years.
Among the social activities for old people was the planning of
the extension of the Darby and Joan Home and Club at Muswell Hill.
The extension was designed to improve the already excellent facilities
and to be opened in 1962.
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