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Once again the work of the service has increased considerably during the past year,
107,996 hours of help as against 98,337 in 1960. The aim of the service is to help with
housekeeping responsibilities and to try to provide the aged, living alone, with a friend
to help lessen the burden of loneliness and helplessness in the advancing years. Where
there are relatives in the background co-operation is asked. The oldest patient to be
helped at present is an old lady of 98 years, and it is very heartening to see the Help
caring for her every morning, taking breakfast to her in bed and making sure that there
is a nice fire waiting for her in the sitting room when she does get up—she is always
cheerful and has many friends who keep contact.
Tuberculosis cases are very worthwhile; all the Helps working in this type of
household realise that it is the understanding of the illness which will help towards
recovery.
Care of children is sometimes required in the case of a mother having to enter hospital.
The Domestic Help also visits the mother whilst in hospital in order to reassure her that
her family is happy, which in turn, helps towards a good recovery. There is also the
case of widowers, where the father leaves early in the morning and the domestic help
ensures that the children have breakfast and leave clean and tidy to get to school on time.
Every endeavour is made to help in the early stages of acute sickness to avoid more
serious developments.
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