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138
It was interesting to take a look during the year at the
people in our homes and the parts of the Borough from which
they originated. 70% came from Ilford and 21% from Wanstead
and Woodford, the remaining 9% came from outside the Borough
area but the majority of these have been resident since before
1965. We also examined the ages of our residents and noted
that most of them came within the age range of 75-95 years
(the average being 82 years) with the ladles outnumbering the
men by over 3 to 1 and falling into age groups some 10 years
higher than the men.
In the year under review the policy of short stay admission
was continued and developed due to the Committee's decision
to make some staff accommodation at Hyleford available for
short stay residents. We were able to admit over 50 persons for
2 or 3 weeks thereby relieving relatives to enable them to take
holidays or hospital treatment ard providing care for some
elderly persons in emergency situations. There is no doubt that
this service is most valuable, not only giving a welcome break
to those relatives who accept responsibility for caring for the
elderly members of their families but also in some cases saving
the Council's Exchequer by deferring the need for permanent
care. I hope that this service will continue to expand and
possibly become a very significant part of our residential
service. At some future date when the financial situation is
easier, perhaps the Committee will review the idea of providing
a special short stay home possibly outside the borough boundaries.
The waiting list for admission to homes shows no sign of
decreasing, remaining at well over 200 the whole of the year.
We have started a full review of this waiting list and have
made comparisons with the list of elderly persons awaiting
rehousing with a view to identifying more clearly residential
needs of the persons concerned. There is no doubt that elderly
persons are sometimes admitted to homes for the elderly
because of inadequate housing and we are endeavouring to
improve the existing good liaison with the Housing Dept. in
such cases although it will doubtless be some time before the
housing for- the elderly can be met. Similarly, we are continuing
to effect exchanges between sheltered housing and
homes for the elderly.
During the year there were 256 persons admitted to the
Borough homes and The Willows (Including short stay and readmission
from hospital etc.).