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centre has been staffed to cater for 40 it is
possible to meet the needs of a larger number
by having some attend on a part time basis
At present 75% attend full time Most of those
attending are brought to the centre each day in
a council owned coach but a coach is hired to
bring 12 from the Chiswick area,
Without the care provided by the centre it
is felt that about 50% of those who attended
for the first time during the year would have
been admitted to geriatric beds in a psychiatric
unit On admission to the centre our clients
are often restless,agitated,confused and a
number are incontinent
Regular visits by Dr Herridge and his
registrar ensure that medication can be provided
quicklv where necessarv and progress observed
to present deterioration At present 75% are
receiving medication,six are diabetic requiring
strict control of diet and urine testing,six
receive injections everv two weeks Another
six have received special treatment at West
Middlesex psychiatric day hospital- We are
grateful for the regular visits made by the
chiropodist.
Another service provided at the day centre
concerns hygiene About ten clients have a
weeklv bath at the centre and a change of
clothes This service is necessary for various
reasons. Some have elderly relatives who are
not able to give the help thev need in their
own homes others who live on their own do not
bother because thev are either too confused or
too phvsicallv tired.
A varietv of activities are offered at the
centre some industrial work knitting making
trays,soft toys,stools etc All are designed to
give our elderly folk interests^ sense of
achievment and increase their confidence and
feeling of worth, Thev are often pleasantly
surprised at what thev discover thev are still
capable of doing and the sense of pride they
get in finishing an article. Out of the net
proceeds returned to the centre by the borough
council it was possible to take the elderly folk
to a pantomime in January and to the seaside
for a dav during the summer.
Very sincere thanks are due to Messrs
Stenner Ltd who again invited some of the
clients to accompany employees of their firm
on their annual outing
The centre is fortunate to have excellent
support and coverage from Mr Charles and his
team of social workers Thanks are also due
to the family doctors for their help during the
year and last but not least Mr Brickman the
local chemist who is most understanding and
co operative when medicines are required
urgently.
This centre has now matured and developed
to a high degree The staff under the enthusiastic
leadership of Mrs Kenneally has always
been prepared to accept the challenge constantly
presented by this work but all are aware that so
much could not have been achieved without the
support of many people outside the centre
Heston day psycho geriatric unit is thus
serving a most useful purpose and it seems
there is scope for at least another similar
centre sited preferably at the eastern end of
the borough to save long coach trips,
Acton Lodge Adult Training Centre
Acton Lodge is continuing its role as a
progressive adult training centre The laundry
was brought fully into operation during the
year and this is not only a very valuable
training medium but adds appreciably to the
income earned by the centre
Brentford Adult Training Centre
This centre continues as a stepping stone for
some trainees into industry and provides a
more demanding environment for the higher
grade subnormals than does Acton Lodge
Holiday Camp for Mentally Handicapped Adults
In September a holiday was arranged for those
adult trainees who wished to attend at St
Mary s Bay holiday camp Dvmchurch It was a
great success.
Other Residential Establishments
Weekly Boarding Unit Hanworth
This has fulfilled a most useful function
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