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148
Private
Homes
In common with other Local Authorities, Redbridge has a duty to
register and maintain contact with Private Homes for the Elderly situated
within the Borough boundaries. There are nine such homes registered at
present and a further ten in process of registration. These private homes
render an important contribution towards the total provision of accommodation
for the elderly and it was hoped that they could be used to reduce
the lengthy waiting list of elderly people wishing to enter a Council
home. Recent legislation has made it possible for the Borough to place
applicants in privately run homes in addition to Council homes. Before
financial arrangements can be made, however, it has been agreed that
the private homes should conform to the latest Ministry requirements and
the response has, unfortunately, not been as great as was originally envisaged.
V/e hope, however, to see a greater response next year in this
new provision for accommodation of the elderly.
Day Centres
for the Elderly
The Day Centres are considered to be one of the main agencies by
means of which our senior citizens can combat loneliness and share
common interests. The range of activities within the Centres is not very
extensive but of more importance to the elderly seems to be the relaxed
informal atmosphere with an absence of regimentation where individuality
can be preserved. Among the activities, old time dancing still seems to
be a firm favourite with the more active elderly; Medau classes are
equally as popular with those who are more restricted in movement and
the coach trips to shows are always well attended. Our thanks must be
extended to those volunteer workers who assist on a rota basis at the
Centres and to those voluntary organisations and individuals who help
provide entertainment for the elderly.
It is indicative of demand that the mid-day meals service has now
been increased to five days per week at all Centres.
Two more Day Centres are planned and part-time Day Centre assistants
have been appointed to release the Day Centre Organiser for the
more important role of co-ordinating existing activities and initiating and
planning future activities now that the concept of a network of Day
Centres throughout the Borough is becoming a reality.
Our scheme for transporting the less active "homebound" to the
Centres still continues on a one day per week basis but more and more
the question of transport gives cause for concern. It is apparent that not