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21. CARE OF THE ELDERLY
The care of the elderly is both a national and a local problem. It is estimated that
the number of persons aged 65 and over will have risen to nearly million by 1982.
This represents an increase in numbers of one-third over a 20-year period. Of
these elderly people, the numbers aged 75 and over will proportionately exceed those
in the 65-74 age group. The immense strain that is thrown upon local resources
and services can be estimated from these figures.
Many agencies assist in supporting the elderly in their homes. The local authority
provides home helps, health visitors, welfare officers, a laundry service for the
incontinent, a chiropody service and a meals-on-wheels service. Local voluntary
organizations arrange holidays and outings, supply clothing, food and coal for the
needy, and provide radio sets for the housebound. There are clubs in all parts of
the Borough and many of these have a visiting service for their sick members.
The sturdy independence of many of our elderly citizens is something in which we
can take pride. Nevertheless, this sometimes leads to difficulties in bringing help
where it is required. One of the problems lies in ascertaining at an early stage those
who are in need of the various services. It is here that the health visitor has a large
part to play, by knowing and understanding the problems of her district. More
and more of her time is now being spent in helping the elderly. Also of value is the
Ealing Day Treatment Centre described below, to which persons in need of
investigation, treatment and general care are referred by or through their general
practitioners. Apart from specific treatment and rehabilitation, the Centre serves
as a focal point for ascertaining the elderly disabled and for bringing them the help
which the local health authority services can give.
A steady expansion of services and excellent liaison with other local authority
departments, hospitals, doctors and social agencies are required in the future if the
problem of the care of our elderly people is to be conquered.
EALING DAY TREATMENT CENTRE ASSOCIATION
The Ealing Day Treatment Centre Association was formed in 1960 to establish a
Centre where the elderly of the Borough could be taken for daily care and treatment
under the supervision of their general practitioner. This experimental scheme was
thought to be the first of its type in this country and was made possible by donations
from local firms and a grant from the former Ealing Borough Council under Section
136 of the Local Government Act, 1948. The building was erected and opened in
May, 1961. The London Borough of Ealing has continued this support. The
voluntary organization functions in co-operation with other agencies working for
the good of the elderly in the Borough, such as the Welfare Department which
provides aids recommended by the occupational therapist at the Centre and mealson-wheels.
There is also a close liaison with the home helps, health visitors, home
nurses and welfare officers who are all helping to keep the elderly in the community.
Members of the Committee for 1965-66 were:—
Councillor A. J. McCallum (Chairman)
Councillor Miss A. J. Saunders (Vice-Chairman)
Councillor J. F. Barlow
Councillor Mrs. N. R. Law
Councillor A. W. Morbey
Councillor Mrs. E. L. Prodham
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