View report page

CARE OF THE ELDERLY
(a) The most important part of the care of the elderly is carried out
by the County Council both as Local Health Authority and as Welfare Authority.
In its first capacity, the County Council gives a great deal of nursing assistance
to elderly people who have to be nursed in their own homes, provides Home
Helps both for those who are ill and for those who are unable to carry out a
full programme of housework. Periods at convalescent homes are also provided
free upon the advice of family doctors for old people recovering from bouts of
illness. As Welfare Authority the County Council pays for alterations and
adaptations of the homes of old people when, as often happens, they are physically
handicapped. It also gives a substantial grant to the Edmonton Welfare
Association and provides residential accommodation of varying quality for old
people who are no longer able to live at home.
(b) Laundry Service
This is carried out by the Borough Council as a disinfection Service. It
is a Laundry Service for incontinent persons, and the majority of these patients
are elderly. Collection and delivery are weekly or twice-weekly as required by
the patient, and during 1961 6,284 articles were laundered. Twenty-four people
were catered for at one time or another during 1961.
(c) Edmonton Welfare Association
As indicated this is the Association in which the Borough Council and the
County Council and voluntary bodies combine to assist the welfare for the old
people of Edmonton. The Welfare Organiser, Mr. Sherwood, and the Honorary
Officers are provided by the Council, part of the finance is provided by the
County Council for representatives of the Health Welfare Departments of the
County Council and of voluntary organisations who are members of the Executive
of the Association. Those who co-operated in one way or another with the
Edmonton Welfare Association during 1961 included the British Red Cross Society,
Women's Voluntary Service, Toe H, Edmonton Citizens' Advice Bureau, St. John
Ambulance Brigade, and most of the Edmonton Churches. Useful help was also
given from time to time by the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance and
the National Assistance Board, and the Almoners of the North Middlesex Hospital.
Mr. Sherwood reports on the services of the Association between 1961 and 1962
as follows:-
(i) Meals-on-Wheels Service
During the year 1961 the Meals Service delivered not less than 13,052
meals. Whilst the maximum capacity is 1,000 meals per month, we have never
refused any emergency calls, and a recent survey undertaken by Miss S J, Briggs,
Superintendent Health Visitor and her staff, has confirmed that every case is
in genuine need of our service.
The Association offer a very sincere tribute to all the ladies of Women's
Voluntary Service for their constant and cheerful duty, which is of inestimable
-47-