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BECKENHAM OLD PEOPLE'S WELFARE SERVICES
It is estimated that there are approximately 2,400 men over 65
years and 5,800 women over 60 years in the Borough ; the number
in need is not known.
During the year the former Old People's Welfare Committee
voluntarily resigned after expressing its full support for the formation
of an enlarged co-ordinating Committee more fully representative of
the many voluntary organisations in the Borough. These include two
Chambers of Commerce, Councils of Churches, Citizens' Advice
Bureau, Emergency Call Scheme, ten Townswomen's Guilds, three
Women's Co-op Guilds, four Toc H branches, Rotary, Round Table,
Inner Wheel, Soroptomist and Veterans Club, Women's Citizens
Association and Women's Institute, four British Legion branches
and the W.V.S. In all there are fifty local associations connected to
the new Committee and more than half are actively helping old people.
Already the Executive Committee have investigated over a wide field
by the issue to organisations of questionnaires on the need, or otherwise,
to expand services or provide new services. Pamphlets describing
available services have been prepared for distribution early in 1961,
and it is hoped to develop through the above organisations, and
through home visiting, increased services for those who live alone or
are housebound. Such services could include shopping, mending,
reading aloud and transport to Church, Club or entertainment.
Keeping in contact is a most important part of visiting, but often
semi-professional advice is needed. The essential home visiting service
is a combination of voluntary and whole-time visiting and there should
be a scheme for help in emergency. Up to a point both these needs
can be met in the same scheme, and in March the voluntary Emergency
Call Scheme (Beckenham) made a start on those lines. The scheme is
designed to help not only elderly persons but also handicapped persons
living alone. The reverse of the emergency plaque issued has details,
including those of next of kin, phone number of nearest relative and
of doctor. A central file card and police file card are completed with
similar details. In time it is hoped to develop the second part of this
scheme by recruiting volunteers for home visiting through the various
organisations represented on the enlarged old people's welfare Committee.
A record card will indicate that a visit has been carried out and
arrangements will be made by the Co-ordinating Committee to meet,
as far as possible, any needs found by the voluntary visitor. The
Committee hope to expand existing services by providing an additional
Meals on Wheels " van and if a suitable property can be found
additional accommodation for old people.
Statutory services are provided by the County Welfare Authority.
These include selective and emergency visits to old persons at which
details of relatives, need for admission to old people's home, membership
of club, provision of service, income and accident prevention are
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