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140
Many discussions have taken place on the information to be
sought, the purpose of obtaining such information, manner in
which it should be obtained, the number and phrasing and
sequence and coding of the questions to be put and at the end
of the year the briefing of interviewers was being planned.
The success of the survey will depend largely on the skill
and patience of the interviewers and the goodwill of those
interviewed.
Day Centres
for the Elderly
The three Day Centres continue to be well supported and
planning is well ahead for the opening of the new small day
centre in Aldborough Road. If the Borough's preventive setvices
are to develop in effectiveness, that is to say to aid old
people to lead a normal life and to delay their admission to a
home or to hospital, there will be an increasing need for day
centres sited in every parish of the Borough providing not only
companionship but a meal at a reasonable price. The steady
demand for meals at Fullwell Cross Day Centre convinced the
Welfare Committee of a need to provide a similar service at the
centres in Scrafton Road and Goodmayes and a meals service
is proposed in these centres next year.
Whilst the able bodied elderly are at all times welcome to
use the centres, there is a feeling that the handicapped elderly
should be aided to take advantage of them and to this end some
transport has been provided to take handicapped elderly to
Fullwell Cross Day Centre and this service will be extended
as the economic situation permits. As time goes by, it is hoped
that an increasing number of both mentally and physically
handicapped elderly persons will be using the day centres so
stimulating their interests and relieving relatives of the continuous
burden of caring for them.
Welfare Services
for the
Blind
The services for the blind in the Borough continued with
little change except in two respects. The Borough took over
responsibility for the rental of talking book machines and 70
of such machines are at present in use by the blind in Redbridge.
The handicraft classes were transferred from 249 Aldborough
Road and All Saints Church Hall to the newly acquired premises
at 363 High Road, Ilford. This latter situation is considered
much more accessible than the others.
More and more during the last few years the blind and
partially sighted have been more closely integrated in society
and they have established themselves to be quite capable of
undertaking work far beyond the simple craft work which not so
long ago was considered to be the limit of their capabilities.