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15
Laundry for the Aged
The care of incontinent old people places a heavy burden on their relatives. The washing of soiled
bed linen and night clothes, particularly in cramped accommodation in winter, with inadequate facilities for
drying, adds another intolerable strain on relatives which finally convinces them that the only place where
the old people can receive reasonable care is in an institution. One way of postponing this unpopular event
is to do their laundry.
In April, 1952, the Council organised a laundry service for incontinent old people free of charge
under section 84 of the Public Health Act, 1936. The articles are laundered and ironed at a cost of 4Jd.
per lb. at the Neasden Hospital by arrangement with the Central Middlesex Group Hospital Management
Committee, and transport is provided by the Borough Council. 6 tons 15^ cwt. of laundry was dealt with.
The service has continued to be greatly appreciated by old people and their relatives.

Voluntary Services for the Aged
The '49' Club organised by the Willesden Old Folks' Association celebrated its ninth anniversary in
February. The Club still has a substantial membership and is open daily from 1.30—10.0 p.m. Severa'
firms gave donations to the Association's funds.
150 members and helpers went for a day trip to Folkestone in July. Voluntary visitors visited 20
old people weekly or fortnightly. Lonely housebound old people greatly appreciate the services, which include
shopping, reading, general conversation and tidying the room. The usual distribution to the housebound of
Christmas dinners and 5/- food parcels was taken over by the Willesden Old People's Welfare Committee.
46 parcels of imperishable foods were made up and distributed to the housebound by Middlesex County
Council nurses from 230 articles of food given by the children of Malorees School after Harvest Thanksgiving.
Two hand-knitted woollen shawls were given to two housebound old ladies. A very successful
Christmas Party was held at Anson Hall. Cricklewood; 240 people attended and were given high tea, entertainment
and 2/-.
From 1st April, 1960, the Middlesex County Council have been responsible for the chiropody service
for the aged, under section 28 of the National Health Service Act, 1947. The Willesden Old Folks' Association
acts as an agent for the County and arranges for the old people to have treatment. The four private chiropodists
who have worked for the Association for a number of years still carry out treatment in their own
surgeries. Treatment will be carried out at the clinics when the County Council appoint their own chiropodists.
The service is still in great demand. 2,950 treatments were given by the four chiropodists in Kilburn,
Harlesden, Kensal Rise and Willesden Green areas. New applications receive initial treatment and are then
placed on the register for periodic visits. In addition 240 treatments were given to the housebound.
The standard charge for the service is 4/- if one foot is treated, or 8/- for treatment of both feet.
The treatment is free to old people in receipt of national assistance and those whose weekly income does
not exceed £5 per week for a single person or £8 per week for a married couple. One half of the standard
charge is made to all other old people in receipt of retirement pensions, but if they feel they cannot afford
to pay, they may apply for the charge to be reduced or waived.
The Association still pays for treatments which cost £1,204 in the financial year ending 31st March.
1962. A grant of £1,125 is expected from the Middlesex County Council.
On the recommendation of health visitors, free coal was supplied to old people who could not
afford it.
The branch club which met at St. Martin's Church Hall, was closed at the end of August when the
Willesden Old People's Welfare Committee opened the Kensal Rise Senior Club.
The Willesden Division of the British Red Cross Society, Women's Voluntary Service, religious and
other organisations in the area run clubs for the old folk, arrange outings and their members visit them in their
own homes.
The meals-on-wheels service organised by the Women's Voluntary Services is probably the most
important service for old people. The Willesden Old People's Welfare Committee took over the cooking of
meals from the W.V.S. on the 21st November, 1961, when the Kensal Rise Senior Club, with its spacious and
well-equipped kitchen, was opened. 11,346 meals were prepared and delivered compared with 10,793 in
1960. 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. 72 frozen dinners were delivered at Christmas, 21 by Middlesex
County Council nurses. In the summer a coach party of housebound were taken for a day's outing to Potters
Bar. They were entertained by local school children, tea was provided by the local branch of the Women's
Institute, and they were all given flowers, eggs and cakes to take home.
Willesden Old People's Welfare Committee
The Willesden Old People's Welfare Committee was formed in April, 1958. The Committee has
a membership of 19, 10 representing the Willesden Borough Council, 2 the Middlesex County Council, and
7 representing Willesden organisations concerned with the welfare of old people. A full-time Welfare Officer
and an assistant work together with statutory bodies and voluntary associations and organise services for the
aged.