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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 22,994 (22,100)
Number of old people in care of this Authority in 183 (219)
directly controlled old people's homes
Number of old people of Sutton origin elsewhere in 119 (125)
old people's homes
Services for the Elderly
As indicated in the introduction to this report, care of the
elderly involves many departments of the Council, a great deal of voluntary
effort and the close co-operation of other statutory agencies who have
responsibilities in this matter. Information concerning elderly people
living in their own homes continues to be received from many sources and
the number of elderly persons whose names are included in the register of old
persons who are "at risk" shows a steady rate of growth. Much of the work
of Social Welfare Officers is concerned with the continuing effort
to maintain elderly people in their own homes for as long as possible.
Many require home nursing services and domiciliary support of home helps.
The Meals-on-Wheels Service is invaluable, not only in providing a basis
of nourishing meals but also in establishing a point of contact with the many
elderly people who are served. This often leads to early recognition of signs
of distress which can be referred to the Social Welfare Officers who are then
often in a position to prevent a crisis occurring. The right of an old
person to continue to live in his or her own home, even at a standard which
might not be acceptable to some, is very well recognised and although it is
necessary to spend much time in maintaining even this standard, it is considered
to be time well spent. Much of the work of Social Welfare Officers is concerned
with minor or major crises in the lives of elderly people, leaving less time than
could be wished for routine visiting. Sources of information are, however,
so varied that early signs of deterioration are very frequently reported to the
Social Welfare Officers who are either able to deal with the problem
themselves or to bring it to the attention of the particular agency best able
to help.
The number of residential places in homes administered by the
Council did not change during the year. In addition the Council has continued
to accept financial responsibility for some admissions to voluntary homes
registered under Section 37 of the National Assistance Act. So far as possible
accommodation is made available within the Sutton area and near to the former
place of residence or to friends and relatives. The places at St.Anne's,
Redhill, are not fully taken up because relatives find visiting difficult
and the residents feel isolated from familiar people and surroundings. The waiting
list for admission to Old People's Homes maintains a fairly constant level and
plans are now well advanced for the building of two additional homes which will
provide 90 more places.
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