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Christmas extras at 10/- per head were granted to patients and resident staff.
There was no change in the resident staff during the year, but considerable difficulty
has always been experienced in appointing the necessary domestic staff.
The Hostel is visited regularly by a Health Visitor, a member of the Chest Clinic
medical staff and a General Practitioner. The Occupational Therapist of the London
Borough of Brent also visits.
Residents are encouraged to find employment if their medical condition allows.
Many of the residents are, however, elderly and their employment prospects are most
unlikely.
CARE OF THE ELDERLY.
Preventive care and after-care of the elderly is provided by the Health Department
staff, working as a team to give a variety of services; e.g. health visiting, district nursing,
provision of home help and night sitters-in (see page 44). A group adviser for the
elderly provides liaison with the hospital, statutory and voluntary services.
The prevention of ill health and the unnecessary pitfalls of ageing by the early
detection of abnormalities by screening techniques and the more positive approach by
advice on all aspects of keeping well is a most important part of the work.
The clinics for older people are held throughout the Borough and provide for
residents of the area who have attained the age of 55 years. Details of these clinics
are set out below : —
of No. of No. of
Clinic. Sessions per wee Attendances. Cases.
Church Road, Teddington. 6 per week. 2,763 119
Kings Road, Richmond. 1 per week. 265 27
* Whitton Clinic. 1 per week. 404 44
Barnes Clinic. 1 per week. 60 20
f Hampton Clinic. 1 per fortnight. 32 10
* Prior to October, 1968, this clinic was held weekly in a doctor's surgery in Whitton.
f Operational since April, 1968.
The emotional health of older people is as important as their actual physical health,
since both have a bearing on each other. The crisis situation of bereavement, the loss
of spouse, family moving away and retirement particularly affect this age group. It is
known that social isolation, bereavement and physical ill health are important factors
in depressive illness in the aged.
To meet the need for help and guidance in these situations, we now have the
benefit of the expert advice of Dr. Alfred Torrie, Consultant Psychiatrist, who has
been working as a member of the medical team at the Kings Road Clinic since
November, 1967.
Residential Accommodation.
Mr. J. D. Elliott, D.P.A., A.I.S.W., Chief Welfare Officer, comments: —
The following table shows the number of persons accommodated on the 31st
December, 1968, either in the Residential Homes under the control of your Committee
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