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42
OLD PEOPLE'S WELFARE COMMITTEE
Visits and General Welfare
There are now 2,350 old people registered for periodical visiting, an increase of
3 50 over the previous year. An essential part of the service is visiting where the
patient does not have a family, as often a seriously ill person cannot be admitted to
hospital and has to be cared for until admission can be arranged. Many also need a
watchful eye kept on them, but it is not always possible to visit as often as one
would like.
During the year 946 visits were made by the Organiser and her assistant and 264
visits were made by voluntary workers. In addition social calls made by voluntary
helpers are of great value and are very much appreciated by those visited.
Many pensioners bring their problems to the office and during the year 2,304
interviews have been conducted.
Meals-on-Wheels
The work undertaken by the Committee has shown a great increase during the year,
and meals are now distributed on five days each week, making a total of approximately
250 meals delivered weekly.
122 new applications were received for this service and 11,651 meals have been
delivered, an increase of 3,567. In addition the Women's Voluntary Service delivered
1,026 meals before the rounds were taken over by the Committee in July.
This service is dependent upon voluntary workers, who deliver these meals and a
friendly relationship is established which facilitates the introduction of other
welfare services should the need arise. More helpers are needed for this work
however if the work is to be effectively maintained and the steadily increasing demand
is to be met.
A small van purchased during the year for the use of the Committee has proved
very useful in the delivery of meals.
Chiropody Service
The Chiropody Service is at present still operated by this Committee with grants
from the Middlesex County Council. During the year 1,035 old people received foot
care at clinics and 4,442 treatment were given.
New equipment has been installed at two of the clinics, so that a better service
can now be given and voluntary receptionists do much to assist the old people at the
clinics.
The waiting time between appointments has been reduced from sixteen to ten weeks
and it is now possible to give new patients appointments within two weeks of their
names being added to the list.
Domiciliary Chiropody Service has been increased by two sessions during the year
and 30 patients are now seen each week. The total amount of treatments given during
the year were 1,432, an increase of 517 on last year.