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Old People
The needs of 11 special cases of old people living in difficult circumstances were
investigated during 1958, and what happened to them is recorded in the following list:—
Admitted to hospital
Admitted to old people's home 4
Remaining at home 7
(a) Home Help and District Nurse provided 1
(b) Social problem eased 1
(c) Referred to Welfare Visitor 1
(d) Awaiting housing for old people 2
(e) Awaiting entry to Home 1
(f) Died at home 1
The difficulties of the old persons recorded on this list were brought to the notice of the
Public Health Department staff either by medical practitioners, interested relations, neighbours
or friends, or following complaint by one or other of the statutory authorities. It is
interesting to note that although more visiting was being done by voluntary agencies who
might have found a greater number of desperate cases, the number referred to the Public
Health department was very much lower than in previous years, which suggests that the
available services are getting known and are being used in such a way that urgent requests
for the removal of elderly neglected persons are not having to be made. It seems as if in
Southall our elderly house-bound solitary people are being cared for better now.
One old person who was brought to the notice of the Department in 1957 was admitted
to a County Council home during 1958.
The County Council has the duty, under the National Assistance Act, 1948, of providing
residential accommodation for aged and infirm persons in need of care and attention which
is not otherwise available to them; and it can do this by providing its own Homes or by
arrangements with registered Voluntary Organisations. The County Council's Welfare
Department administers the County Homes, and the number of persons admitted to such
homes from the Borough in 1958 was 19.
It has been ascertained from the Area Medical Officer that 349 Southall people were
given Home Help during the year and of these 288 consisted of chronic sick or aged persons,
and of 732 persons who were assisted by the Home Nurses, 404 were of age 65 or over.
Many voluntary associations contributed to provide Christmas parcels or special comforts
for old people.
Meals on Wheels Service:
During the year mid-day meals on four days per week were provided for house-bound
old people in need of the service. During the year 7,956 meals were delivered, an increase of
593 over the 1957 figure. The number of old people receiving the meals at any one time was
46, and the total number of old people helped in this way by the provision of one, two, three
or four meals weekly was 86. The present service is being stretched to its uttermost to meet
the need which continues to grow. The cost of the meal was 9d. to the recipient, and for
each meal Southall Borough Council made a grant of 1/-. Meals were obtained from the
School Canteens and conveyed in a van owned by the Southall Old People's Welfare
Association.
Chiropody Service for Old People:
This service was continued throughout 1958. Five local chiropodists gave their services
at cheap rates for Old Age Pensioners.
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