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140
In our endeavours to assist voluntary organisations the Authority
agreed that its specially adapted vehicles be made available to them
whenever possible. One vehicle is now regularly used by a club for the
physically handicapped and vehicles are frequently borrowed for outings
and shopping expeditions.
Financial conditions have somewhat curtailed expansion of activities
for the handicapped but it is hoped that deferred projects will be
resumed when the national economic situation improves.
Homes for
the Elderly
Ideally one would wish to see our senior citizens living in their own
homes within the community supported by adequate domiciliary services.
Even if domiciliary services were expanded to an optimum level however
.it is apparent that the need for Council Homes for the elderly would still
exist. At present the elderly who cannot cope alone are catered for to a
limited extent in the Housing Department's supervised flatlets. The
Geriatrician with a limited number of hospital beds endeavours to cater
for those elderly who are in need of hospital care. Between these two
categories the welfare services provides for those who are "in need of
care and attention" but not in need of hospital care. We are indebted to
the Housing Manager and the Hospital Geriatrician for their invaluable
co-operation and exchanges are effected between the three categories of
accommodation but the interpretation of "in need of care and attention"
has considerably widened since 1948. An increasing proportion of residents
in Council Homes are becoming confused in mind presenting a
fourth category - the Elderly Mentally Infirm who cause some distress
and concern to both residents and staff. To meet this problem new EMI
units are being developed within our existing homes and a new EMI home
is planned at Mossford Green. At the same time we are planning self
involvement of the more active residents in our homes. The circle has
been completed from old harsh poor law institutions to our present
sheltered hotel type homes for the elderly but one would not wish to see
this sheltered existence developed to such an extent that the resident
loses his sense of individuality and purposeful life. Our residential
homes staff are co-operating in both these growing fields of activity and
far from being subjected to "sans everything" type of publicity, it is felt
that they should be congratulated for their willingness and devotion in
care for the efderly often under adverse conditions.
Day Centres
for the
Elderly
An additional Day Centre opened during the year at Aldborough
Road which although small, soon developed an extremely good
atmosphere and is well attended. Meals are now provided at all 4 Day