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number of financial problems and a good deal of interchange of cases
with the National Assistance Board.
There were the ever recurring miscellaneous problems, this
year numbering 259. Examples are disputes with landlords, and
other tenants over access to gardens, bathrooms, coal stores etc.
There were quarrels with neighbours about noise from children, from
television sets and radios; about overgrown gardens and about parked
cars the doors of which were slammed during night hours. A chat
with both parties usually resulted in an improved relationship, a
truce, or a compromise. Intolerance is often due to lack of knowledge
about the mental and physical changes that old age brings and the
ways and means of compensating for them or keeping them at bay
for as long as possible. There is a need for places for old people
who are confused and senile to go to during the day. Places where
there is some unobtrusive supervision and to which special transport
could be provided. So many of these petty disputes would not come
about if the old person was away from the house more and not sitting
brooding upon grievances either genuine or imaginary.
A few serious disputes which could not be smoothed out were
referred to the Citizen's Advice Bureau, so also were some problems
concerning tenancy agreements.
I addressed the following Organisations on my work and had
some interesting discussions with the members:-
The Women's Co-op. Guild, St. Paul's Hall, 60 members present.
Uford and Barkingside Townswomen's Guild, 200 members present.
Fairlop Townswomen's Guild, 19 members present.
The Family Forum, Marks Gate Baptist Church, 12 members present.
The laundry service for cleansing of soiled bed linen and
personal clothing continued to operate throughout the year, proving
of invaluable assistance in very difficult cases.
During the year 93 persons were assisted and 20,932 articles
were laundered.
(ix) HOSPITALS, etc.
Chadwell Heath Hospital. — 164 beds are provided; 60 for general
infectious diseases, 96 for geriatric cases, and 8 beds are used for ear,
nose and throat cases.