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NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACTS- WELFARE SERVICES
Introduction
The Borough is an all-purpose welfare authority and is responsible for the
welfare of the aged, the blind and partially-sighted, the deaf and the
physically handicapped as well as dealing with homeless families. Whilst in
the main these duties are carried out by staff employed directly by the Council,
there is close co-operation with the many voluntary organisations engaged
in the various fields in the Borough,,
Estimated number of people over pensionable age in the Borough 22,100
(21,090)
Number of old people in care of this authority in directly 219
controlled old people's homes (237)
Number of old people of Sutton origin elsewhere in 125
old people's homes (133)
1. SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY
Information concerning elderly people living in their own homes is
received with ever increasing frequency as the Council's services
increase and become more widely known. This means that much of the
work of social welfare officers is concerned with such visits and
every effort is made to maintain elderly people in their own homes for
as long as possible. Where necessary other domiciliary services are
deployed in support, such as meals-on-wheels, home help and chiropody.
Introductions are given to Day Centres, Darby and Joan Clubs and old
people's voluntary welfare organisations which organise visiting services.
Often old people are unaware of financial help which is available to them
and in these cases the social welfare officers give the necessary advice
and make contact with the Ministry of Social Security.
When even with the support whioh is available an old person is
unable to care for himself or herself, arrangements are made for
admission to residential homes administered by the Council:-
"Brambleacres", Sutton 43 places
Maiden Homes, Worcester Park 112 "
or to St.Anne's at Redhill (83 places), which is administered by Surrey
County Council but where we have an allocation of beds. It is sometimes
necessary to arrange for admission to voluntary homes registered under
Section 37 of the National Assistance Act, the Council accepting
financial responsibility. So far as possible, accommodation is made
available within the Sutton area and for this reason we have not taken up
our full allocation of beds at St.Anne's because relatives find visiting
difficult and the residents feel isolated from familiar people and
surroundings.
Many of the residents in the Council's homes have been there for
a number of years and are becoming increasingly frail. The same comment
also applies to those applying for admission to homes and it is significant
that the great majority of applicants and residents are in the 80/90
age group. The admission of elderly frail people means that staff in the
homes have to make greater use of geriatric equipment and have to give
a greater degree of personal care than in previous years. For this reason
staff are not inclined to stay for long periods and it is extremely difficult
to recruit and retain suitable staff.
At the present time, the waiting list for admission to old people's
homes is around 120 and to meet this need three new homes are being planned
within the Borough. The first is at "Roundshaw" where it is hoped that
actual building will commence quite soon; the second on the site adjoining
"Brambleacres" and the third is included in the Benhill Housing Development
at Sutton.
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