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12
Domestic helps are paid by the County Council, but the person
assisted is required to contribute towards the cost according to his, or
her, means. An assessment form must, therefore, be completed if it is
desired to claim reduction in the charge, otherwise the full standard
charge, which is at present 4/- an hour, will be payable.
Care of the Aged.
No formal action was considered necessary during the year under
Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948.
Meals on Wheels.
I am indebted to Mr. L. F. de Warr, Chairman of the Old People's
Welfare Association for the following information:—
"Meals were supplied every day, except Sundays, during the year
ended 31st December, 1964, the total of 8,715 meals being 1,500 more
than in 1963. More than 100 persons reecived meals and the daily average
was 28, each being served twice a week. The old person paid 1/per
meal towards the cost of the service, the balance being met by the
Hornchurch Council who provided the van. The drivers covered more
than 7,000 miles in the year and the van gave satisfactory service.
Mr. L. J. Taylor has continued to give his valuable services in
organising the service, including the visit to each new applicant and acting
as an emergency driver on frequent occasions. At the end of December
there were 75 volunteer drivers/assistants on the rota.
During the year we were unsuccessful in our efforts to increase the
weekly supply of meals from two to three per person. Whilst the Hornchurch
Council readily agreed to provide the additional money and the
use of a second vehicle, we could not find a source for the extra meals
required. The kitchen staff of St. George's Hospital, Hornchurch, has
produced excellent meals but these are limited to thirty per day due
to shortages of staff.
I am pleased to report that we have now arranged to receive twenty
meals per day for five days per week from the caterer supplying meals
to Romford Council. This will enable us to give each old person three
meals per week. The Hospital Management Committee has maintained
the charge for each meal at 2/3d. until now but this increased to 2/6d.
during February. The Romford meals will cost 2/11d. before delivery.
Additional volunteers have come forward to help with the second vehicle
and these make the total about 100.
We share the opinion of Dr. Groarke that for those who need this
service it should be available up to seven days a week, and we hope
to be able to co-operate with the new Borough Council towards this
ultimate objective. Our new centre in Inskip Drive will be opened later
this month, and we expect to make full use of the kitchen in providing a