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Meals-on-Wheels. Some 10,000 meals were served during the year, an increase
of over 1,600 on the total for 1957. Special Christmas meals were served for
which no charge was made to the old people. The cost of the meal (cooked at
the Clapton Centre of the Invalid Meals for London service) is 1s. 10d. Of
this the old person pays 10d., the London County Council 10d., and the Association
covers the remaining 2d. per meal. As in the previous year a four-daysper-week
service was provided, half of the Borough being served on each of two
days.
(b) Hackney Association for Workshops for the Elderly. The Council
again made a grant of £400 to this voluntary organisation. The Workshops are
now well established, the average attendance amounting to between 60 and 70 old
people, who work daily shifts of two hours.
Invalid Meals for London. The Invalid Meals Service continues to operate in
the Borough, and is of considerable value to people requiring special diets.
By special arrangement, elderly invalids may obtain these diets at a cost of
1s. 4d. per meal. Invalid meals are prepared daily, and are available five
days per week on a medical certificate.
LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL (GENERAL POWERS) ACT, 1953. SECTION 43 (Power of
sanitary authorities to cleanse aged and enfeebled persons in their own homes
or elsewhere). There were 83 new applications for this Bathing Service during
the year, made on behalf of 22 males and 61 females. Altogether 1,414 baths
were given to 118 persons. Of these, 63 persons had 647 baths at Millfields,
and 46 persons had 624 baths in their own homes. In addition, nine other
persons received 103 baths at the Cleansing Station as well as 40 baths in
their own homes Since its inception the Service has increased year by year,
and the demand continues to grow Cases are usually recommended by the
District Nursing Association, and in every case a General Medical Practitioner
gives a Certificate that the old person is in a fit state to receive baths
either at home or at the Cleansing Station.