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NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACTS, 1948 AND 1951
Section 47 - Care of the Aged
Investigations were made during the year into the living conditions of 11
persons of retirement age. These persons were reported by the Health Officers
of the St. Pancras Association for the Care of the Aged because they were refusing
all offers of help and living under insanitary conditions.
Satisfactory arrangements were made for three of these old people to be
cared for and kept under observation in their own homes. They agreed to accept
and were provided with various kinds of domiciliary help such as meals on wheels,
laundry service and the services of a home help. Two of these persons are still
at home; the third one remained at home for some months and then died in hospital
after a short illness
One person went to live with a relative pending admission to a home and
three other persons who were too infirm to be cared for in their own homes agreed
voluntarily to go into a home for old people.
Unfortunately, in the four following cases it was necessary to invoke the
provisions of the National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951:-
Case No„ 253 - Miss F. aged 87
This elderly lady had been under observation for many years. She had been
provided with the services of a home help, meals on wheels and a district nurse
but in the end she refused to accept any domiciliary services As a result her
own health and her home conditions deteriorated rapidly and it became necessary
to use the provisions of the National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951, to secure
her compulsory removal. She was removed to Luxborough Lodge on April 25th, 1959.
While she was there arrangements were made for her rooms to be cleansed and
redecorated and fresh bedding and furniture provided After some weeks stay in
Luxborough Lodge Miss F s health improved She was able to return home, agreed
to accept domiciliary services and was happy and well cared for in her own home
until the end of the year when she died in hospital after a few days' illness
Case No. 244 - Miss W. aged 67
This woman had been known to the Public Health Department for many years
Every effort had been made to keep her in her own home and her room had been
cleansed at various times Lately her condition deteriorated, her room became
extremely insanitary being full of old rags and decomposing food and she remained
aggressively adamant that she would not accept help or enter a suitable home
It was apparent that she was quite incapable of devoting proper care and attention
to herself a vacancy was found for her in Luxborough Lodge, an Order for her
removal obtained and the Order carried into effect on the 18th August, 1959
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