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is eased. An interesting feature of the new home planned to open
in 1969 at St. Paul's Cray is the day centre provision which will
enable 15 to 20 elderly to participate in various activities, including
further education classes, in the additional rooms provided.
The charge for accommodation in the Local Authority Homes
was increased from £11 9s. 3d. to £11 13s. 4d. on 1st October, 1968.
Community Care of the Elderly
The Health Services and Public Health Act, 1968, became law
in July, 1968 and under Section 45 local authorities are empowered
to make arrangements with the approval of the Minister for promoting
the welfare of old people. This power supersedes the provisions
of Section 31(1) of the National Assistance Act, 1948, which
empowered local authorities to make arrangements for the provision
of meals and recreation for old people. Under the new Act,
welfare services can be provided for the elderly similar to those for
the physically handicapped under schemes prepared in accordance
with Section 29 of the National Assistance Act, 1948. Many
services under these schemes are available already to the elderly
with physical handicaps but the new Act aims to extend the provisions.
Further guidance on the implementation of these powers is
to be given by the Minister in due course.
Accommodation provided by Voluntary Organisations
There were 61 elderly people admitted to voluntary homes
during 1968, for whom the London Borough of Bromley accepted
financial responsibility. This compares with the 55 admitted during
the previous year. Discharges totalled 46, compared with 54 in the
previous year.
The Health Services and Public Health Act, 1968, extends the
powers of Local Authorities to provide accommodation elsewhere
than in premises managed by them or another Authority to homes
managed privately as well as to voluntary homes. The premises
must be registered with the Local Authority in accordance with
Section 37 of the National Assistance Act, 1948. The London
Borough of Bromley decided to amend its Scheme for providing
residential accommodation to include the new powers.
Meals and Recreation for the Elderly
The Meals Services in the Borough provided by voluntary
organisations under the co-ordinating machinery of the Bromley
Old People's Welfare Joint Committee, were subsidised by an
amount of £7,170 in 1968/69. The number of meals served during
the year was approximately 143,500.
The adaptations to the 0ver-60 Club premises and kitchen at
Crofton Road, Orpington were completed in January, 1968 and the
new day Centre and luncheon club facilities now cater for elderly
physically handicapped in the area.