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Each of these services plays a part in keeping old people active and
interested in life. Generally, apathy and loneliness are the main problems.
Giving the elderly person an interest a feeling of belonging and most
important, of not being a burden, is essential in rehabilitation work.
Activity of both the mind and body is to be encouraged and with this end
in view the Harrow Old People's Welfare Committee are actively pursuing
the idea of opening a workshop for the elderly in premises in Palmerston
Road, Wealdstone.
Advisory Clinics for the Elderly.
In November 1962 the local Area Health Committee considered a
report on Advisory Clinics for the Elderly. It was felt that these clinics
could serve a useful purpose and it was decided to open such a clinic on an
experimental basis at the Broadway Clinic, Wealdstone.
The clinic provides general advice to elderly people on healthy living,
including personal health problems, diet, accident prevention and social
welfare. The health visitors see the old folk to discuss with them their
multifarious problems and try and suggest ways and means for their
solution. Cases are referred by health visitors, welfare officers and it is
hoped that general practitioners will refer any of their cases whom they
feel we might be able to help. A medical officer carries out a medical
examination but no medical treatment. Any person found or thought to
be in need of treatment is referred to their own doctor. Medicines are not
dispensed by the clinic.
The clinic opened in July 1963 with one session each week at the
Broadway Clinic. The whole approach to this clinic is one of informality.
Each person is welcomed by the health visitor and the initial friendly but
at the same time information-seeking chat over a cup of tea, is used to
explain the purpose of the clinic and also elicit relative details of the
individual's circumstances, worries, phobias and general difficulties, etc.
Recording of height and weight followed by testing of urine and vision
serve as an introduction to an interview with a medical examination by the
doctor.
Since its inception 62 persons have attended the clinic. The majority
were women (51) and of these thirty-five (35) were widows, eight (8)
married and eight (8) single.
The following is a summary of the advice given at the clinic:
Referred to General Practitioner 7
„ Dentist 2
„ Chiropodist 12
„ Optician 4
„ Women's Voluntary Service 2
„ Citizens Advice Bureau 1
Advised about diet 15
Reassurance about state of health 19