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36
G MISCELLANEOUS
Old People s Welfare
The Town Clerk as Honorary Secretary of the Walthamstow Old
People's Welfare Association, states that the Association's
"Meals on Wheels" Service provided 24,415 meals during 1959.
Seven rounds are operated on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and
six rounds on Tuesday and Thursday. The meals are obtained from
the Council's Catering Department and distributed by voluntary
workers in cars hired by the Association. 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 Association also provided eight 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 Association continued to act as the co-ordinating body
for old people's welfare and maintained close liaison with other
statutory authorities engaged in this work.
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 1959, 57 patients received domiciliary treatment, and
the total treatments given were 76 at a cost of £39.18s.Od.
Thirteen of the patients were Male.
The agreement of the family doctor as to the need for treatment
and as to non ambulancy is sought in each case before arranging
treatment.
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 was 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 during 1959. Bedsteads, 7; Mattresses, 20;
Blankets, 4; Pillows, 6, Commodes, 2; Wheelchairs, 4; Sheets, 3.
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.