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A new home, Edith Pearson Lodge, was opened in January, 1966 for 61 old persons.
The average age of admission is higher than it has been before, being about 85 years,
and this reflects credit on the domiciliary services which are aimed at supporting old people in
their own homes for as long as possible.
The waiting list for those urgently requiring admission to old persons Homes numbered
297 at 31st December, 1966 and it had been hoped that the building of a new Home in Billet Road
would have been started this year. However, many factors contributed to there being some delay
in the commencement of this work and it is anticipated that the building of this Home will be
started in 1967.
Because of the restrictions imposed on new projects by the "squeeze" no new luncheon
clubs for the elderly were opened this year. The existing clubs were well patronised and
provided a social meeting place.
An additional voluntary organisation started using the Alice Burrell Centre during the
year and created a departure from the original idea that these premises should be used only for
old people's activities. It is the Waltham Forest Spastics Group which holds regular monthly
meetings there and they arrange the evening so that the handicapped youngsters have organised
games in the main hall whilst the parents enjoy a quiet evening together in the lounge, discussing
their difficulties and helping one another in their common problem.
The day-care scheme for providing meals, baths and company in the Council's Homes for
old people in need of care and attention living alone has continued and is being expanded.
At Edith Pearson Lodge several beds are kept filled by short stay cases. Of the
Council's six Homes for old people Heathcote Lodge continued to cater for the infirm and confused.
The Leagues of Friends attached to all but one of the Homes have rendered stalwart
service and have performed many kind acts to residents and staff.
THE HANDICAPPED
The serious shortage of social workers has greatly curtailed the services to the blind,
the physically handicapped and the deaf. The blind handcraft classes have been kept going but
home teaching has suffered very much through lack of personnel. White sticks, wirelesses,
talking book machines and such like aids have been supplied through the agency of the Essex
County Association for the Blind which continued to render most valuable service. The Blind
Clubs were always well attended and deep appreciation is recorded of the splendid voluntary
workers who give so much of their time to this well-worth-while service.
Several young blind people joined with both young and not so young physically handicapped
at the Roberts Hall day centre. Here handcrafts supply the activity for those who desire
nothing more than a pastime, but there is also an expanding industrial section engaged in outwork
from factories where attendances have to be regular and to time and the work must be of the
highest standard.
Insufficient transport presented the biggest problem in all sections of the work but
particularly so at the Day Centre. Only those with their own vehicles or who could travel by public
transport were able to come all and every day.
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