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CARE OF THE AGED
Throughout the year, Health Visitors continued to devote more
time to visiting the aged in their homes, and resulting therefrom
action was taken in many instances to procure necessary treatment.
Elderly persons frequently need reminding of the welfare and social
services that are available for them.
The provision of domestic help for the elderly and infirm is one
of the services most appreciated, and approximately 500 aged persons
residing in the Borough were provided with Domestic Help during the
year.
Suitable housing accommodation can be all important to the
comfort and well being of elderly infirm persons who are unable to
negotiate stairs to bedroom, toilet, etc. without great difficulty and
hardship The ageing of the population will result in increased demand
for aged person's houses and flats.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948—SECTION 47
It was not necessary during the year to remove any person
compulsorily to hospital or residential accommodation because they
were not eceiving proper care and attention at home.
It is till difficult to find hospital beds for the aged sick, and the
majority of such patients either through choice or lack of hospital beds
are treated at home.
Fiftf n District Nurses are employed in this Health Area to
undertake the home nursing of every type of illness. Nurses may visit
very ill people two or three times daily to carry out treatment prescribed
by the patient's own Doctor.
Night attendants may be provided to relieve relatives in cases
where the patient requires frequent attention during the night. The
Borough council inaugurated a free laundry service to help relatives
nurse incontinent patients at home. This service provides for the
laundering of soiled articles such as sheets and night clothes, etc.
Collections and deliveries are made twice per week.
The number of articles dealt with per month averages 206 and the
help given is a valuable adjunct to the Domiciliary Services.
During the year 5 cases were assisted in this way.
Volumary organisations operating in the Borough provide a
meals-on-wheels service, summer holidays, a limited Chiropody
Service, and Clubs for the aged.
Roger Reede Almshouses provide nineteen homes on a convenient
site for local veterans.
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