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17
Social and Geriatric Services,
Social and Geriatric Services for old people are steadily
developing and improving. Much is done for them by voluntary
associations and many who are relatively fit in mind and body enjoy
a fully active and interesting life enlivened fey visits to
Clubs, Recreational activities are provided fey these voluntary
associations.
For those who are beginning to fail and require assistance
to maintain themselves in their own homes all the resources of the
Divisional Health Services are readily available and much assistance
from home helps, district nurses and health visitors as well
as from voluntary agencies is given.
For those who are in need of more, such as medical or nursing
care and who cannot maintain themselves in their own homes
the specialised services of a physician, health visitors, and
social workers are available from Kingston Hospital,,
The main purpose of this arrangement is rehabilitation,,
The social worker or the physician visits th® home and assesses the
need and urgency for a short stay in on© of the appropriate hospitals.
The family doctor is usually the person who first seeks
assistance from the Home Help Supervisor, but all enquiries on
feehalf of needy old people may fee mad© to Divisional Health Headquarters,
Health Centre, Grange Road, Kingston-upon-Thames,
(Kingston 726l).
The County Welfare Committee provides considerable services
for the aged. These include different types of residential
accommodation and many domicilliary and advisory services.
The County Council also makes grants to voluntary organ-
isations towards initial expenses of buying and equipping properties,
Children's Department.
This Department is responsible for the welfare of children
who have been deprived of a normal home life. It has important
functions in connection with child life protection and adoption
and deals with children taken into or committed to the ear® of the
County Couneilj, supervision of foster children, child neglect;,
etc. The Children's Officer for the Borough works from the
County Hall, Penrhyn Road, Kingston-apon-Thames.