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Old Age Pensions Association (Chiswick Branch;
This association has a membership of over 140 and meets weekly for social
purposes A free annual outing and Christmas Tea Party are held and in 1961
two additional outings were arranged
Other Societies
Several of the societies whose functions are classified under Welfare
General contribute to a very considerable extent to the Welfare of the Elderly
i.e. the British Red Cross Association the St John Ambulance Brigade the
Blind Club, the Club for the Hard of Hearing the Chiswick Mission and the two
Philanthropic Societies
Slipper Baths
Under the scheme for the provision at reduced rates (2d per bath) of
slipper baths for old people at the Public Baths Establishments 2,051 baths
were taken in Chiswick and 1,461 in Brentford
Meals on Wheels
The provision of a hot dinner once a day for an old person living alone may
make all the difference between health and malnutrition The Meals on Wheels
Service operated by the Brentford and Chiswick Welfare Organisation continued
to expand during 1961 Many times the two vans which are now in operation each
day from Monday to Friday were required to take round a number far in excess
of the normal capacity and still a waiting list of old persons requiring the
meals had to be maintained The number of meals rose from 17,215 supplied to
168 elderly persons in 1960 to 22 118 meals suppliedto 192 persons during 1961
In 1961 a survey of all persons receiving meals was planned the Welfare
Officer prepared a comprehensive form to cover the likely requirements of old
persons living alone and began to visit These visits could also be used as
a check of need for the meals and also of whether the meals were liked or criticized
by the recipients Following the initial survey the Welfare Officer
would visit new recipients and from time to time revisit all recipients to
check on supply of needs and any new problems arising Figures from these
visits and of the needs and the action taken to help will be an interesting
addition to next year's Report
Laundry for the Incontinent Aged
The scheme for the provision of laundry facilities for the incontinent aged
started in the autumn of 1956 was carried on throughout the year Old people
in need of this service were brought to the notice of the Public Health Department
staff from various sources then arrangements were made for the Department's
van to call each week to collect the soiled linen deliver it to the Laundry
and to transport the clean linen back again to the home of the old person No
charge was made for the service but for each case a certificate was submitted
to the Public Health Committee
During the year six old persons had been recommended for and obtained
this service
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