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OLD PEOPLE'S WELFARE
The year saw rapid progress in welfare services provided
for old people by the Council. With the appointment of two
additional Health Visitors specialising in the visiting of
the elderly, it was possible to arrange for many more visits
than had previously been possible. The total number of visits
carried out during the year was over 18,000. Many elderly
people were visited for the first time and were found to be in
urgent need of health or welfare assistance; this was arranged,
as appropriate, with the various domiciliary and residential
services. The Council's staff were in regular contact with
many organisations and individuals interested in the welfare of
the elderly.
A summary of the work carried out during 1964 is as
follows:-
No. of Old People on Register 1. 1.64 - 5,106
No. of Old People on Register 31.12.64 - 5,640
No. of housebound 1,148
No. of bedridden 56
No. living alone 1,105
Total No. of visits by Old People's
Visitors '
Office interviews 1,169
Meals-on-wheels delivered 30,034
Meals served at Borough Council
Luncheon Clubs 63,765
Articles laundered 54,594
Luncheon Clubs
Another Luncheon Club was opened during the year, this
time at the Coldharbour Community Centre, making six Council
luncheon clubs operating in the Borough. At these clubs an
elderly person can obtain a main meal and sweet at a cost of
1/ld. The value of such clubs from a recreational and
nutritional point of view is obvious, and the Council's
policy is to establish more luncheon clubs in other areas of
the Borough where the need is greatest. In addition to the
meals served at these six luncheon clubs, over 600 meals a
week are also served at the Victorians Club, Eltham.
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