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60
G.—MISCELLANEOUS
1. Old People's Welfare.
The Town Clerk as Honorary Secretary of the Walthamstow
Old People's Welfare Association, states that the Committee's
"Meals on Wheels" Service provided 19,722 meals during
1957. Six rounds are now operated on Monday, Wednesday and
Friday. The meals are obtained from the Council's Catering
Department and distributed by voluntary workers in cars hired by
the Committee. The scheme has been in operation in this form
since March, 1948, and is an essential one for 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.
Accommodation for the Aged and Chronic Sick
The co-operation of the hospital and welfare services was
always admirable, but the difficulty appears to be wholly one of
insufficient accommodation. Even so, Walthamstow is fortunate in
participating in the geriatric service and accommodation available
at Langthorne Hospital which, however, appears to have far too
large a "catchment" area.
In particular the position is eased by Dr. DeLargy's scheme at
Langthorne Hospital for rehabilitating the aged and relieving their
relatives by the "Six Weeks In—Six Weeks Out" Scheme.
Priority of admission is decided by means of domiciliary visits, and
whereas the Family Doctor often thinks in terms of permanent
accommodation in hospital, many relatives have stated to Dr.
DeLargy that they had no wish to shelve their responsibilities, but
only wanted a rest, especially a night's unbroken sleep.
DOMICILIARY CHIROPODY
In order to assist those elderly persons unable by reason of
illness or infirmity to attend the County Council's Foot Clinic, even
with the aid of transport, the Walthamstow Old People's Welfare
Association has agreed to accept financial responsibility for
chiropody treatment to be provided in their own homes.
During 1957 23 patients received domiciliary treatment, and