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53
ment and distributed by voluntary workers in cars hired by the
Committee. This scheme has been in operation in this form since
March 1948 and is an essential one for old people who would not
otherwise be able to get a cooked meal.
The Committee also provided seven old people's clubs in
different parts of the Borough and shared the expense of a club at
Woodford Green with the Wanstead and Woodford Old People's
Welfare Association.
The Committee continued to act as the co-ordinating committee
for old people's welfare and maintained close liaison with other
statutory authorities engaged in-this work.
An increasing amount of time of the medical, health visiting,
home nursing and domestic help services and of the sanitary inspectorate
was required in regard to old people's welfare. The need
appears to be for increased services in the following directions,
especially those which help in assisting with domiciliary treatment:
(1) Meals on Wheels" daily. (2) Ample home nursing and
domestic help facilities, including weekend help. (3) Increased
chiropody facilities. (4) Companionship, sitters-in and occupational
therapy. (5) Increased Part III accommodation and long and short
stay annexes.
The Glasspool Trust has again been ready to help in cases of
hardship, particularly with the supply of bedding.
The Area Officer of the National Assistance Board has again
been most co-operative and has been helpful in making money
grants for bedding, clothing and laundry; this is supplemented by
the Health Department by the retention of mattresses and other
items removed at the request of the owners for destruction after
infectious disease. Where some use remains, the mattresses are
steam disinfected and given to persons in need. The following
items were supplied: Bedsteads 6; Mattresses 7; Bolster 1; Pillows
2; Blankets 2; Waterproof Sheet 1; Nightdresses 2; Night Commode
1; Chairs 3; and Table 1.
(b) Action by Health Visitors. The Health Visitors have
been instructed to acquaint themselves as far as possible with all
elderly people in their districts and bring to notice any who need
help in any way.
In addition regular visits are paid to old people in Council
Hostels and flats and also both before and after discharge from the
Geriatric Wards at Langthorne Hospital, particularly with a view
to arranging home nursing, domestic help and/or Meals on Wheels.