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57
At no time did the number of current cases exceed 7.
Old People's Welfare
The following brief summary of the work of the Old People's Welfare
Committee has been extracted from the Annual Report of the Chairman of the
Committee, The Lady Morrison.
1954-1955 has seen a further increase in the work of the Committee,
including the opening of an Old People's Club in the Harringay area.
(a) Christmas Parcels
This year 750 parcels were packed and delivered into the homes of the
sick and housebound aged, and there was no doubt that the parcels brought
Xmas cheer to many lonely people. The Worshipful the Mayor, (Alderman
Mrs. A.F. Remington, J.P. ) kindly gave a donation of £25 and in addition
despatched a further 100 parcels to old people who would otherwise have been
disappointed
(b) Chiropody Service
The demand for this essential service which is doing so much to keep the
old people 'on their feet' has greatly increased again this year, and so
popular and beneficial is this service that four sessions are held weekly
now, but in spite of this there is still a seven weeks' waiting list. 1,930
patients received treatment during 1954/55. The charge to old people is one
shilling per foot, the remainder of the cost being borne by the Welfare
Committee.
(c) Visiting Optical Service
This is a new service which has started this year, and approximately 50
housebound and bedridden old people have been visited for eye testing and
provided with new glasses. Knowing how many of these aged people depend on
reading to pass away many lonely hours, it will be appreciated the need this
service is meeting and its value to the old people concerned.
(d) Meals -on-Wieels
Due, no doubt, to the severe winter and the consequent increase in
sickness amongst the old people, this service also shows an increase and
voluntary workers have been very active in often carrying more meals than the
containers could hold, so that this year 4,104 meals have been taken to the
homes of the sick old people. Co-operation exists between the Committee,
the W. V. S. , and the Home Help Department of the Area Health Service, to
ensure that the most needy of these old people are covered for meals during
the greater part of the week.