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75
It is continually a problem to find suitable vacancies in voluntary
or other authorities' homes for those persons who are physically disabled, and
this will, it seems, continue to be a problem as the welfare departments of
the new London boroughs expand their services for the disabled and thereby
create a greater demand.
The Borough Council has in its Ten Year Plan a scheme for the
erection of a purpose built home for physically handicapped persons.
Three local voluntary organisations - the Maiden and Coombe Old
People's Welfare Committee, the Surbiton Red Cross Society and the Surbiton
Housing Society, also provide facilities for the admission of elderly persons,
and thereby make a most valuable contribution.
Registration and Inspection of Private Homes for the Elderly
There were three registered voluntary old people's homes and twelve
registered private old people's homes within the borough at the end of the year.
One voluntary home and one private home closed during the early part of the
year under review.
There is also one voluntary home run by the British Red Cross Society
under its own Charter.
The registered homes have been regularly inspected and 34 visits
were made during the year.
Domiciliary Services
Support for the Aged and Disabled
There are those whose age, infirmity or other circumstances make it
essential that they receive full care and attention in a home or in hospital,
but the majority of those elderly or disabled people who need social help can,
of course, manage in their own homes if such partial support as they need is
available to them.
Emphasis has been placed on those branches of the service which contribute
in positive ways to prevent, or at least postpone, the need for admission
to a home or hospital. It is felt that such measures should be seen as part of
a wide community effort embracing all the services, such as home helps, district
nurses, health visitors and other statutory and voluntary workers, as well as