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Talks to Old People's Associations
The Medical Officer of' Health gave five talks to old people's associations. 310 old people
attended and showed keen interest in the subjects ('Old Age', 'Nerves', 'Safety First in the Home' and
'Cleanliness in Food') chosen by the associations. They asked many questions and took the opportunity
to raise other matters. For example, they asked whether the Council could pay towards the cost of window
cleaning, the supply of dentures, spectacles and hearing aids. The Council unfortunately cannot do this,
but the old people were told how they could obtain a grant from the National Assistance Board for window
cleaning, and the supply of dentures and spectacles; they could obtain hearing aids free of charge under the
National Health Service. They were also concerned that the nearest centres for repair of deaf aids were
the Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Grays Inn Road, W.C.1 and St. Mary's Hospital, necessitating long
journeys which many old people found difficult and could not afford to make. The Council raised this
point with the Ministry of Health and the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board, and a centre
for repairs in charge of an electronics engineer will be organised at the Willesden General Hospital in the
future.
Voluntary Services for the Aged
The care of the aged is an excellent example of how work of voluntary organisations supplements
that of local authorities. The main extension of this work 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 it.
The '49 Club organised by the Willesden Old Folks' Association celebrated its third anniversary
on the 28th February, 1955. The Club is open daily from 1.30 p.m. to 10.0 p.m. The membership is now
525, and applications continue to be received.
120 members went to the theatre in February, and 198 members and helpers went for the day
to Bognor Regis in September. Holidays at reduced rate were arranged for 30 members at Southend.
Voluntary workers visited 40 old people weekly or fortnightly. This was greatly appreciated by
lonely people, but more visitors are required The visitors often take small personal gifts to the old people
and at Christmas they brought them 5/- or Christmas fare from the Association.
Four well-attended Christmas parties were held at the Anson Hall, Cricklewood, and were very
successful. More than 1,000 invitations were sent out, and 850 old people were given a high tea and entertainment
and 2/- each.
Because of the heavy cost of' the chiropody service, a charge of 2/- was introduced for treatment.
Nevertheless, more people were treated in 1955; there were 460 on the register compared with 300 in, 1954.
An average of 25 attended the two chiropodists in the Kilburn and Harlesden area each week, and altogether 100
(50 in 1954) people were treated in their own homes during the year.
On the recommendation of the Welfare Officer, free coal was supplied to old people who could
not afford it. On medical recommendation, financial aid was given to 10 old people.
A branch club was opened on the 5th January at St. Martin's Church Hall, Kensal Rise, which
meets every Wednesday afternoon from 2.0 p.m. to 4.0 p.m. The Association pays the rent of the hall,
otherwise the Club is self-supporting. 20 members attended the first meeting and by the end of the year
the membership was over 70. 41 members went for the day to Bognor Regis in June, and 41 went for a
half-day to Windsor in September. 60 members attended a party given for the oldest member on her 91st
birthday in March, and 72 members attended a very successful Christmas party.
The Willesden Division of the British Red Cross Society, the Women's Voluntary Services,
religious and other organisations in the area, run clubs for the old folk, and their members visit them in
their homes.
The meals service organised by the Women's Voluntary Services is probably the most important
service for old people. The Old Folks Morning and Luncheon Club, which opened at the Presbyterian
Hall, Granville Road, Kilburn, on the 31st January, 1952, provides old people with hot meals. The cost
of' a lunch was kept at 1/-, but tea was increased from l½d. to 2d. per cup and coffee from 2½d. to 3d. per
cup. 14,015 meals were served during the year, compared with 13,019 in 1954. The meals-on-wheels service
organised from the same premises, served 4,501 meals during the year, compared with 5,298 in 1954.
Only two meals a week are supplied to each person; the aim is to give a hot meal to old people five days a
week in all parts of the Borough.
The W.V.S. receives information from the Morning and Luncheon Club, the meals-on-wheels
service and the National Assistance Board, of old people's needs, such as clothing or little extras of comfort,
and were thus able to help another 200 old people during the year.
Publicity of Services for the Aged
10,000 copies of a booklet describing all the services available for old people were published in
February, and by the end of the year more than 6,200 has been distributed