New York University: Rehabilitation-Research-Training Center Establishment of the Nation's first rehabilitation-research-training center was announced October 13 by Miss Mary E. Switzer, Director of DHEW's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. In announcing the $500,000 annual grant to New York University's Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (400 E 34 St, NYC 16), Miss Switzer said a $390,000 installment already has been granted for the current academic year. The facilities of the Institute, under the direction of Dr. Howard A. Rusk, will be used for the research in rehabilitation and, simultaneously, the training of short-supply professional rehabilitation workers in a clinical atmosphere. A limited number of such centers will be established at universities that have medical schools with comprehensive teaching and research programs as resources for research in other phases of rehabilitation and for training workers in various disciplines, including medicine. At the same meeting, eleven new members were elected to NCOA's Board of Directors: John Corson of McKinsey and Company, Washington, D.C.; George P. Daris, former chairman of the Mas sachusetts Council for Aging, Boston; Robert W. Kean of Livingston, New Jersey; 1. S. Loewenberg, architect for Loewenberg and Loewenberg, Chicago; ate Co Sched La of Garson Meyer, chief chemist for the Camera Works. Apparatus and Optical Division of Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y.; James C. O'Brien, executive director of the Committee on Retired Workers of the United Steel-Workers of America, Washington, D.C.; Martin E. Segal, president of Retirement Advisors Inc. and of Martin E. Segal Company, Consultants and Actuaries, Welfare, Health and Pension Programs, New York City; Henry Viscardi, Jr., president of Abilities, Inc., Albertson, N.Y.; Dr. Russell . Lee, executive consultant of the Falo Alto Clinic, Palo Alto, Calif.; Charles C. MacLean, Jr. of Dewey, Ballantine, Bushby, Palmer, & Wood, New York City; Dr. John McConnell, Dean of the School of In Commenting upon the initial grant, Miss Switzer termed it “a significant stride toward increasing our scientific knowledge, and training of professional workers so desperately needed to re- dustrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University, store our handicapped people to independence and to relieve them, their families, and the public of the spectre of long-term dependency." NCOA Officers Re-elected: Eleven New Board Members G. Warfield Hobbs of Westport, Connecticut was re-elected President of The National Council on the Aging (345 E. 46 St, NYC 17) at The Council's annual business meeting on October 9. Re-elected with Mr. Hobbs were Council VicePresidents Ollie A. Randall, consultant to the Ford Foundation's Program on Aging; Michael M. Dacso, M.D., director of physical medicine and rehabilitation at New York's Goldwater Memorial Hospital, and Charles E. Odell, director of the Older and Retired Workers Department of the United Automobile, Aircraft and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). Morris Zelditch, director of Social Planning for the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, was re-elected as Secretary. Albert J. Abrams, assistant to New York State Senator Mahoney, was elected treasurer. Ithaca, N.Y. PHS: New Office on Aging Dr. Wilson T. Sowder, former director of the Florida State Health Department, was appointed by Surgeon General Luther L. Terry as Chief of the Public Health Service's new Office on Aging, to coordinate the many health and medical activities in this field. The Office on Aging, to be located under the Chief of the Bureau of State Services, will develop policies, give consultation and guidance, and help in the existing efforts of the Service in the broad field of health of the aging. The new office will also coordinate the activities of the Bureau toward a more effective application by State and local health departments of the research findings of the National Institutes of Health on diseases affecting the older-age population. Dr. Sowder, a career officer in the Public Health Service, has been State Health Officer for Florida since 1945. Dr. Terry noted that he has done an outstanding job in establishing and effectively maintaining health services for that State, especially in planning and implementing programs for the benefit of the aging population. Senate Committee on Aging Schedules Over 30 Hearings With scheduled hearings and site visits throughout the country, the U.S. Senate's Special Committee on Aging, under Chairman Pat. McNamara of Michigan, has begun an intensive new "grass roots" study of conditions affecting the aging in specific areas of interest. From October through December special subcommittees are visiting over 30 cities-more than four times the number of "field" sessions held last year by the Senate's former Subcommittee on Aging. A unique feature in the current hearings are "town hall' sessions where older people themselves are invited to give their views. A full report of the findings from all 1961 hearings will be published by the Committee. The complete schedule, as of November 3, 1961, is as follows: In the Maryland State Commission story on page 3 of the September issue of Aging (No. 83), the statement many retired people are on "social security, which limits their earnings to $1500 a year," was incorrectly phrased. Social security does not "limit" earnings. Rather, the system limits benefit payments if earnings exceed specified amounts. An NIH Report: International Research Grants By Mrs. Joe Bales Graber, M.P.H., Information Officer, Center for Aging Research, Division of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda 14, Maryland. About six percent of the NIH grants made to researchers in foreign countries are in the field of gerontology. These research projects are supported by the seven Institutes and the Division of General Medical Sciences. Countries participating in this world-wide program for research in aging (with a current total of 25 projects) are Belgium, Canada, Chile, England, France, Italy, Israel, Japan, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and Yugoslavia. The projects include studies on osteoporosis; influence of aging on various cell populations in certain organs of animals; physiology of aging to show the possibility of its dependence upon changes in brain function; production of endocrine imbalances to determine the effect upon the primitive mescenchymal cells of the body as they relate to normal and abnormal growth and differentiation; fat metabolism during growth, development and aging; and purification of human growth hormone. Other studies made on the carbohydrate metabolism of the lens of experimental animals to determine the effect of insulin on glucose uptake by the lens; processes of chronic bronchitis and emphysema through the development of bronchographic methods; diabetes; and cerebrovascular diseases. Some of the grants are concerned with cardiovascular disorders such as ischemic heart diseases, atherosclerosis, coronary artery diseases, relationship of nutrition and cardiovascular diseases, and cardiorespiratory diseases. Additional grants provide for the publication of translations of foreign medical abstracts. person under 72 could earn and still derive some benefit from his earnings over and above his social security payments. A beneficiary under 72 can earn as much as $1200 in a year and still collect all his social security benefits. For every $2 of earnings over $1200 (and every $1 over $1700) he gives up $1 of his benefits. An explanation, "You Don't Have to Retire Completely To Get Social Security Benefits," is available from any District Office of the Social Security Administration. Ask for leaflet OASI At the time the Maryland State Commission set up their plan, $1500 was the maximum a 23c, October 1961. American Public Welfare Association: aging and providing opportunities for improving Jersey Public Welfare Project on Aging understanding of needs of older persons, and the "Do By Jay L. Roney, Director, 6006 S. Stony Island Ave., Chicago 37. APWA's Public Welfare Project on Aging has continued to promote interest and stimulate activities to strengthen services to older persons through State and local public welfare agencies across the nation. This year the Project on Aging co-sponsored with other public and voluntary organizations, three seminars on responsibilities public welfare must assume in helping them achieve a more satisfying life. Committee on Aging Viss Gert Tabere The APWA Committee on Aging, representing national, State and local voluntary and public agencies, has established four sub-committee groups working in the areas of Self Assessment erge Guides for Agencies, Protective Services (includes ing Guardianship), Weighting and Classification of of caseloads in relation to the aging, and Publica- Div tions. Each of these subcommittees, workingTu with the Staff Representative, Mrs. Julia Dubinder is in the process of formulating guidelines which The Project also has held an institute and two will prove helpful not only to the field of public seminars: welfare but also to each community. Casework, Group Work, and • Local Community Organization. (1) "Strengthening Social Services for the Aging Aged through Public Welfare Staff Development Programs,” held April 5-7, and led by Evalyn G. Weller, Assistant Chief, Division of Technical Training, Bureau of Public Assistance, DHEW, included 29 participants representing State and local welfare staff development personnel. The publication reporting this session is now being prepared. It will prove especially helpful not only to supervisory and in-service training personnel, but to all organizations working with older persons. (2) "Administration of Services to the Aging through Local Public Welfare Departments,” held May 4-5, and led by Charles I. Schottland, Dean of The Florence Heller Graduate School for Advanced Studies in Social Welfare, Brandeis University, included 24 local administrators representing the larger urban areas. This seminar report is also to be published shortly and should prove valuable to local administrators and to coordinating councils working with county welfare directors. (3) Administrative Aspects of Services for Aging," involving 12 State administrators, was held June 26-27, with Jay L. Roney as leader. This group represented the smaller, less populated states. The need for increased services for the aging and the role of the State administrator in community organization were emphasized. The report of this conference will be combined with two previous State administrators' sessions for publication at a later date. Wide Participation There are only seven States and two territories that have not participated in such meetings to date. The Project is constantly moving toward encouraging higher standards of care for the New York City: Golden Ring Clubs of Senior Citizens By Zalmen J. Lichtenstein, Program Director, Council of the Golden Ring Clubs, 25 E 78 St, NYC 21. The Golden Ring Clubs of Senior Citizens are a "grass roots" movement started five years ago by elderly people who in their younger years pioneered in community and labor movements. These people, we believe, derive satisfaction from maintaining their pioneering and creative spirit. The two basic principles of the Golden Ring movement are "Do It Yourself” and “Pay As You Go." All activities and action projects are planned and implemented by the senior citizens themselves the leaders and members of the clubs; all programs and public functions are financed "as you go"-by the club members. The Golden Ring Council is the central body uniting the senior citizens and their various organizations church groups, community centers, retired trade union members, and similar groups for a comprehensive educational program intended to make the community aware of the needs of its elderly citizens. The Golden Ring Council is a voluntary, nonprofit, non-sectarian, and non-partisan organization. Its clubs function in the states of New York, New Jersey, Florida, Ohio, Illinois, and Cali-. fornia. The Council held its greatest public rally of 20,000 senior citizens in 1960 at Madison Square Garden to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Social Security Act. We are now initiating a new educational program to emphasize that better social security protection is in the interest of the three-generation American family. new o for LOW New Jersey: "Don't Be An Ostrich Prepare Now For Leisure" By Miss Gertrude Eckhardt, Executive Director, Bergen County Tuberculosis & Health Assn., Inc., 369 Union St., Hackensack, N. J. This Association includes in its servces a Division on the Aging, a special pilot project under the direction of Mrs. Helen S. Wilson. In Bergen County a real effort is being made to impress upon the young and middle-aged the wisdom of preparing for their years of leisure. The Division of the Aging of the Bergen County Tuberculosis and Health Association, and the Readers Service of The Record (our county's daily newspaper with a circulation of 100,000) co-sponsored a series of three forums on "Preparation for Successful Aging," directed to residents between 35 and 55. With the admonition "Don't be an ostrichplan now for good health, financial security, life with a purpose in your years of leisure," the sponsors invited young and middle-aged residents to attend meetings on successive Wednesday evenings in an auditorium with a seating capacity of 500. Less than three weeks after our first press release the house was "sold out," and further publicity had to be muffled. Purpose Subject for the first session was "Purpose." Develop a purpose in youth, the audience was advised, that will carry through to the years of maturity. Mr. Earl Ubell, a local resident who is Science Editor of the New York Herald Tribune, was keynote speaker. A moderator and panel, including senior citizens, discussed problems and opportunities of women whose children have grown, contributions to community service and the arts, and "spiritual growth." Finance The second session was on "Finance." A round table discussion was moderated by Mr. Kenneth H. Dickson, President, Bergen County Bankers Association. Panelists included the managers of the local social security office, of two investment and brokerage firms, and a banker, attorney, insurance representative, and specialist in estate planning. Health The last session was on "Health." Dr. Theodore Klumpp, president of Winthrop Laboratories and WHCA participant, gave the major address. The session was moderated by the chairman of the County Medical Society's Committee on the Aged and Chronically Ill. Panelists included a psychiatrist, internist, and dentist. Interest in this series, slowly developing over a period of years had been rekindled by an article, "The Best is Yet to Be," by Mr. Ubell, in the January 1961 issue of House Beautiful magazine. The sponsors-and hopefully the audiencesare convinced that an important approach to easing problems of the aging lies in impressing upon the young and middle-aged citizens the necessity of preparing early for their years of lei sure. Louisiana: New Home Nursing Project This item was adapted from Aging Highlights, publication of the APWA Project on Aging, 6006 Stony Island Avenue, Chicago 37; issue Number 8. A six-month pilot home nursing project for old age assistance patients, jointly sponsored by the Louisiana State Board of Health and the Louisiana State Department of Public Welfare, was begun July 1, 1961 and is scheduled to continue through December 31, 1961. The study will furnish information needed in planning the statewide program for old age assistance patients with longterm illness and in need of medical nursing services in the home. It is being financed with money made available in connection with the Kerr-Mills Act, and involves state funds. Nurses of local health departments in seven parishes in the state will provide services under the direction of the treating physician. Selection of the parishes was based on the rural-urban character of the parish; size of caseload and race distribution of recipients; number of cases already known to need nursing care in the home; staff situation in the local health unit and staff recruitment prospects in the parish; and acceptance and cooperation of the medical and allied professions in the parish. Under the direction of each patient's physician, the nurses will provide essential services for the patient. It is anticipated that much of the service will involve teaching the patient's family, or the person living in the home who is caring for him, to care for the patient. The purpose of the pilot study is to learn more about the program's merits, its cost, time involved, number of nurses needed, and administrative problems. It is hoped that it will show the extent to which recipients of OAA need and will use bedside nursing care. The program itself, tentatively scheduled to begin on a statewide basis after completion of the study, will be financed by matching state and federal funds. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE Donald P. Kent, Ph.D., Special Assistant to the Secretary Published since June 1951 to share and exchange information about programs, activities, and publications among interested individuals, agencies, and organizations. Contents may be reproduced or reprinted without permission, with or without credit. Subscriptions ($1 for 12 issues, 50¢ additional for foreign mailing, or 10¢ for single copies) should be addressed to Superintendent of Documents, Washington 25, D.C. All other communications may be sent directly to Editor of Aging, Special Staff on Aging, U.S. Department of HEW, Washington 25, D.C. Use of funds for printing this publication approved by the Director of the Bureau of the Budget July 24, 1961. NEWS ITEMS After 20 years in DHEW's Social Security Administration, Miss Dorothy McCamman has transferred to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging (Room 132 Senate Office Building, Washington 25, DC) as a Professional Staff Member and Specialist on Social Security. In her new capacity, Miss McCamman will have an opportunity to continue working with the many contacts she made while she was WHCA Technical Director for the sections on Income Maintenance and Impact of Inflation. Prior to the WHCA, Miss McCamman was Assistant Director of Program Research in the Social Security Administration. The Kansas Legislature, in its 1961 session, transferred legal responsibility for licensure of nursing homes, boarding homes and homes for the aged from the Kansas State Department of Social Welfare to the Kansas State Board of Health, effective July 1, 1961. The Division of Services for the Aging, State Department of Social Welfare is now devoting full time to development of programs and services to older persons in Kansas, regardless of financial status, who reside in their own homes. This development of new community resources and the extension of existing resources is part of an effort to make it possible for a greater number of persons to remain in their own homes for a longer period of time. For more information: Mrs. Loudell Frazier, Director, Division of Services for the Aging, State Department of Social Welfare, State Office Building, Topeka, Kano trator of the State Office for the Aging (112 State St, Albany 7) announced the appointment pres of two additional staff members as Community Consultants on Aging. Miss Evelyn P. Clarke has been on duty since September to help provide a program of technical assistance and guidance to local communities on ways and means of organizing and coordinating their self-help, voluntary, and public services for the aging. Mr. James J. O'Malley since October has been me responsible for various writing, public information, and information distribution assignments. On October 18, the Ford Foundation announced three new grants in the field of aging: • Gerontological Society-$25,000 for research seminars, publication of monographs, and planning a library center in the field of gerentology; New York University-$20,500 for a study of management problems in special public housing for the elderly; • Washington University-$177,000 for a program to improve public and private job placement services for middle-aged and older workers. For more information: Mr. Willard Hertz or Mr. Walter Ashley, The Ford Foundation, 477 Madison Ave, NYC 22. HHFA's Community Facilities Administration announced on October 21 that a nine-story apartment building for senior citizens will be built at Cottage Grove Ave & 51st St. in Chicago with a Federal loan of $1,285,760. The loan is made under The Housing and Home Finance Agency's direct loan program for housing for the elderly. This project, sponsored by the Number Two Chicago Dwellings Association, a private nonprofit corporation whose membership and officers are also members of the Chicago Housing Authority, will have many features specially designed to meet the needs of senior citizens. Gov |