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10
Miss E. A. Workman, the Welfare Officer for Old People, commenced
her employment on April 15th, 1952. She reports as follows:—
"The duties include not only the welfare of aged individuals who
require assistance, but also co-operation with all other institutions and
workers, both statutory and voluntary, who are concerned with the problem
of old age. The former include hospitals, welfare departments, mental
health workers, home teachers for the blind, sanitary inspectors, home
nurses and domestic-help service; the latter, old age pensioners' clubs,
Women's Voluntary Service, Old People's Welfare Committee, Ilford Social
Service Association, and Patients' League.
"The main aim of all work with the aged must be to preserve an active
normal life at home as long as possible. This can be attempted by communal
provision for their needs as is the case with the domestic-help
service, which is particularly valuable, or by attempts to promote more
satisfactory personal relationships. In the latter case the emphasis is on
the individual and the Welfare Officer has to make contact with relatives,
friends, neighbours, doctors, etc.
"During this period of 8½ months, 465 persons aged 65 and over were
dealt with. Of these 53 persons entered hospital, 30 were admitted to
Homes (eleven to those administered by the Essex County Council, and 19
to private Homes), and 382 remained in their own homes.
"Of these 465 persons, 64 died during the year, 48 at home, 14 in
hospital and 2 in nursing homes.
"A total of 569 visits was made by the Welfare Officer to these 465
cases. In addition to the 569 visits, 417 visits were paid to and interviews
given at the Public Health Offices and elsewhere with relatives, friends
and officers of the various voluntary and statutory bodies.
"The problem of the nursing of chronic sick cases remains most difficult,
and to ease this burden a special laundry service was inaugurated to
deal with soiled articles. The admission to hospital of such cases is still
a matter of some concern.
"It is also becoming increasingly difficult to secure the admission to
Homes of fairly active aged persons. There are also borderline cases, and
cases of senile dementia, who are not clearly the responsibility of an;,
authority.
"An attempt is being made to ascertain some facts concerning the
problem of old age in Ilford. For this reason a pilot survey was undertaken
of the Clayhall Ward as a preliminary to a general survey of the
whole Borough. A total of 498 visits was made resulting in 36 interviews
of people aged 65 and over. This work was carried out with the assistance
of the Women's Voluntary Service.
"In addition visits were made by the Welfare Officer to a number of
hospitals, to Old People's Flats and Clubs, to Finsbury Settlement and
Iselden House.
Laundry for the Aged Chronic Sick.
"With the co-operation of the Ilford and Barking Group Hospital
Management Committee, a free laundry service was introduced by the
Council for the cleansing of bed linen and personal clothing of chronic
sick aged persons who are incontinent.
"Articles which are certified by the Sanitary Inspector under Section
84 of the Public Health Act. 1936, as requiring cleansing are laundered at
Barking Hospital, transport being provided and laundry costs paid by the
Ilford Borough Council.