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a court of summary jurisdiction or by a single justice having such jurisdiction. The amending act modifies the
period from 3 months to 3 weeks for a person to be detained in the first instance.
Only once in 1952 was action necessary under this Act. Miss M. B., aged 70, was ill, living alone in
insanitary conditions. She was admitted to a hostel and later agreed to stay there as a voluntary patient.
The kind of unfortunate occurrence that may happen, even when there is some supervision, is illustrated
in the case of Miss S. A. W. (aged 83) who received fatal burns when her clothes caught alight. Miss
S. A. W. was crippled and almost confined entirely to her armchair; the home help had left only about 15
minutes when the accident happened.
Laundry for the Aged
The care of incontinent old people places a particularly heavy burden on their relatives. The washing
of soiled linen, particularly in cramped accommodation in winter, with inadequate facilities for drying, is
frequently the last straw. It is often this additional unbearable strain which finally convinces relatives that
the only place where the old person can receive reasonable care is in an institution. One way, therefore of
postponing this often unpopular event, is to help relatives with the washing of the soiled linen of the incontinents.
It is much more economic and humane to provide reasonable facilities for old people in their homes
than to transfer them to institutions.
Accordingly the Council organised a laundry service for aged incontinent persons in April, 1952, under
section 84 of the Public Health Act, 1936, which gives powers to the authority to cleanse articles in so filthy
a condition as to be dangerous to health. The articles are laundered at the Neasden Hospital by arrangement
with the Central Middlesex Hospital Management Committee, and transport is provided by the Borough
Council. At first the laundry was returned to the person dried but not ironed, and many did not use the
service because of this. The hospital authorities were therefore approached and special arrangements were
made on 31st October, 1952, for ironing the 500 pieces received weekly before they were returned to the
home. The cost of laundering was increased to 4 ¼ d. per lb.
Sixteen cases were dealt with up to 31st December, 1952; 2 have been admitted to hospital and 2
removed from the district, leaving 12 cases dealt with at the end of the year.
This service has proved of inestimable value to old people and their relatives.
Voluntary Services for the Aged
The care of the aged is an excellent example of how the work of voluntary organisations supplements
that of the local authorities. The main extension of the work of the care for the aged during the year was
carried out by voluntary effort, and no praise can be too high for the voluntary helpers who spent time and
energy on this work.
The '49 Club' organised by the Old Folks' Association was opened by the Dowager Marchioness of
Reading on the 28th February, 1952. In the first month of its opening there were 195 enrolled members,
paying a membership fee of 6d. per month, with an average attendance of 50 per day; within three months
the membership had increased to 250. A summer outing to Southend was organised on the 1st September,
1952, and 158 old people went.
Five well-attended Christmas parties (about 100 old people in each) were organised and were
thoroughly enjoyed. Regular visits by voluntary workers to about 40 old people were arranged in 1952,
but there is a general shortage of visitors. Various charities are helped in their distribution of parcels to old
people, and wireless sets are maintained for the aged sick who cannot afford their repair.
In November, 1952, arrangements were made with a local chiropodist to treat six old people a week free
of charge; appointments are made with the chiropodist by the '49 Club'.
The club has proved a very great success and is well appreciated by old people.
The Willesden Division of the British Red Cross Society and many churches in the area also run
clubs for the old folk and visit them in their homes.
Probably the most important service for old people in 1952 was the meals service organised by the
Women's Voluntary Services. A club known as the Old Folks' Morning and Luncheon Club was opened
at the Presbyterian Hall, Granville Road, Kilburn, N.W.6, on 31st January, 1952, where hot lunches are
served on five days a week at a cost of 1s. a lunch; an average of 80 meals are served a day; 15,759 meals
were served during 1952. Coffee and tea can be had during the morning at l ½d. per cup.
The work of this club was extended to provide 'meals on wheels', and this service was commenced on
21 st March, 1952 for 2 days a week, and was extended on 10th August, 1952 to serve meals on four days a
week. The areas covered are Harlesden, part of Stonebridge and Kensal Rise on Tuesdays and Thursdays,
and Kilburn and Cricklewood on Wednesdays and Fridays. Each person receives two meals a week at a cost
of 1s for the main meal and sweet. Approximately 24 meals a day are served to old people in their own
homes; 2,628 meals were served during 1952. Unfortunately part of Stonebridge and Neasden cannot be
covered at the present time on account of a shortage of voluntary workers, particularly drivers, and the aim
must be to give a hot meal to old people five days a week, wherever they may live in the borough.
It is hoped to extend this service to the people suffering from tuberculosis. Precautions will be taken to
see there is no risk of infection.
Burial of Destitute Dead
Arrangements were made for the burial of 17 persons in 1952 in accordance with section 50 of the
National Assistance Act, 1948, at a total cost of £196 l1s. 6d.