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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 by visits to Clubs,
Recreational activities are provided by 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 the home and assesses the need
and urgency for a short stay in one of the appropriate hospitals.
The family doctor is usually the person who first seeks assistance
from the Home Help Supervisor, but all enquiries on behalf of
needy old people may be made 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 domieilliary and advisory services.
The County Council also makes grants to voluntary organisations
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 care of the County
Council, supervision of foster children, child neglect, etc. The
Children's Officer for the Borough works from the County Hall,
Penrhyn Road, Kingston-upon-Thames.