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National Assistance Act, 1948.
(a) Section 47 provides for the removal of persons to hospital
who are unable to devote to themselves proper care and attention.
Four persons were dealt with during the year. They were a male
of 86 years and three females of 70, 73 and 80 years. All were removed
to hospital; two died a few days after admission. The other two
returned home after the expiration of the magistrate's order and were
kept under observation.
(b) Section 50 requires a Local Authority to arrange for the burial
or cremation of a person who has died or been found dead, and where
it appears to the Local Authority no suitable arrangements are being
made for the disposal of the body.
The burial of four persons was dealt with during the year as
follows: —
(1) A male, 70 years, patient in a nursing home.
(2) A male, 4 months, died at home.
(3) A female, 80 years, found dead at home.
(4) A male, 69 years, patient in a nursing home.
Miss M. J. Copping, Welfare Officer for Old People reports as
follows:—
"During 1956, 436 cases were dealt with of which 338 were new
cases. Among the 436 cases were some relating to persons known to
the Department since 1952. Total home visits paid were 836. This
figure does not include visits made by voluntary organisations or othei
persons whose interest I was successful in gaining, or visits of a purely
social character paid to old persons in Homes or Hospitals who would
otherwise have had no visitors. Some of the visits were of short
duration, others involved the spending of several hours with one
person, and in certain emergencies doing shopping for them and preparing
and serving a light meal. In some cases one visit only was
necessary, the person concerned then being referred to the Domestic
Help Organisers, National Assistance Board, Ministry of Pensions and
National Insurance or some other body who are able to solve the
problem or take the case over. Other persons have been visited many
times either because their problem was an involved one or long term
one, or because they needed constant moral support. Some presented
an interesting psychological study and were revisited several times
purely from the point of view of gaining insight into the problem of
ageing generally.
In addition to the visits, 252 interviews with old persons, their
relatives or representatives of other bodies concerned with their welfare
were conducted at the Public Health Offices. There were also numerous
telephone enquiries. Some of these telephone calls are of necessity of
long duration. Many are from Almoners who found that a patient
admitted to their Hospial is known to me. They wish to know the
home conditions and social background and often cannot wait for a
letter because upon the information received depends the decision as
to whether the patient must be detained in Hospital or can be adequately
cared for at home or they may wish to contact relatives
through me.
As opposed to the year 1955 a large proportion of the case work
was the result of direct appeals to me from the old persons concerned.
This I believe was the result of eight addresses given by me to Old
Age Pensioners Clubs and other organisations with a proportion of
elderly members.
Of 37 persons referred through me to the Essex County Council
for Part 3 Accommodation 16 were admitted during the year. 21
persons are still on the waiting list and because the demand for this