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Old People
The needs of 25 special cases of old people living in difficult circumstances were investigated
during 1961, and what happened to them is recorded in the following list:—
Admitted to hospital 4
Admitted to old people's home 1
Remaining at home 20
(a) Home Help provided 2
(b) Home Help and District Nurse and meals provided 1
(c) Home Help and meals provided 1
(d) Home Help and visiting 1
(e) Adaptation to house awaited 1
(f) Awaiting housing for old people 11
(including three couples)
(g) No Action required 2
(h) Hospital transport arranged 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.
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 recognised 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 1961 was 22, one of whom was brought to our attention first
in the year 1953, one in 1956, one in 1958, and one in 1961.
It has been ascertained from the Area Medical Officer that 456 Southall people were
given Home Help during the year, and of these 391 consisted of chronic sick or aged persons,
and of 712 persons who were assisted by the Home Nurses, 391 were of age 65 or over,
159 male and 232 female.
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. In 1961, 13,154 meals were delivered, an increase of
2,217 over the 1960 figure. One hundred and fifty-seven old persons were assisted by
means of this scheme during the year. The maximum number of old people receiving the
meals on any one day was 77, so that both vans were working to capacity on many occasions.
Special Christmas dinners (frozen pack) were delivered to 84 people and also to them went
84 special parcels to cover the Christmas period when meals were not being delivered.
25