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Laundry Service for the Incontinent
The problem of dealing with incontinent elderly persons when
laundries would not accept soiled articles, and when no relatives or
friends were available or willing to help, had been a matter of concern
in this district for some time. It had often meant an approach
to the Hospital Authorities for admission of the old person to a
hospital bed, if one was available. In view of the difficulties involved
in these cases, the Council decided to operate a Laundry Service in
accordance with the provisions of Section 42 of the Middlesex County
Council Act, 1956, which deals with, inter alia, the cleansing of soiled
articles.
A washing machine has been installed at the Disinfecting Station
and arrangements are made for the articles to be collected and
delivered twice weekly. The practice is for collections to be made
on Tuesdays and Fridays, and for deliveries, on Wednesdays and
Saturdays.
The cost of the service is borne by the local authority. The
only stipulation made is that the garments or bedding involved must
not be the type which could be accepted by a normal commercial
laundry.
The service was started at the beginning of July, and during the
half-year period to the end of December, 42 collections of articles
were made. The number of persons for whom the service was
recommended and subsequently authorised by the Medical Officer of
Health or by the Public Health Inspectors was eleven. Of these,
two were receiving assistance at the end of the year.
Although the number of persons who availed themselves of the
service was small, it does indicate that there is a real need for it in
the Borough. As the service becomes more widely known, there is
little doubt that the demand will become much greater.
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