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75
A total of 85 handicapped persons were provided with a holiday
under the Council's scheme and thanks are due to the Shaftesbury Society
and Maureens Oast House, whose holiday homes are specially adapted
for the more severely handicapped persons and who were once again able to
offer the Council vacancies. Block holidays were arranged in two private
hotels for two separate parties, accompanied by Council social workers,
and small parties were also accommodated in various other holiday homes.
The success of these holidays is due in no small measure to the volunteer
helpers who accompanied the various parties and gave invaluable
assistance. The Council is grateful for their efforts.
Sopers Limited and Littlewoods Stores Limited kindly arranged to
stay open after normal shopping hours once again this year and so provide
an opportunity for handicapped persons to do their Christmas shopping
in comfort, and the Council is once again indebted to the voluntary helpers
who pushed wheelchairs and assisted generally.
The following table gives the details of the persons on the register
on 31st December, 1970.

Residential Homes and Care for the Aged
With the increasing publicity of services available the needs of the
elderly are steadily increasing and while every effort is made to keep
persons in their homes, by providing meals on wheels, home helps, home
nurses etc. the demand for places in residential homes continues to
increase. Plans for an additional residential home for 50 persons were
finalised during the year and building work is expected to commence
next year. This home is designed to cater also for 12 day residents which
will relieve friends and relatives caring for the elderly and will provide
bathing facilities, hairdressing and social contact.