is not among strangers. There is recognition of the impact of cultural background and awareness of the patterns of emotional behavior characteristic of the nationality group, all of which make the transference from family and community life to institutional care an easier, happier adjustment. Of 17 nationality organizations in Allegheny County with national headquarters in Pittsburgh, 7 support or maintain their own institutions for the aged and are planning their own health and welfare facilities. These organizations not only recognize the continuing need for such a facility but also are looking toward the expansion or modernization of their programs. While it is their prerogative to support such projects if they feel the need, the real crux of the problem lies in why they feel the need in view of existing community resources with similar functions. Therefore, the beneficial organizations can make an important contribution to the welfare community by interpreting the special needs of foreign among the aging in the community as well as in institutions. Their leadership should be involved in the research, study, and planning of overall health and welfare programs if the needs of all in the community are to be effectively and adequately met. In summary, the American Service Institute recommends that in the consideration of any studies or planning affecting health, welfare and recreation services for the aged: 1. Recognition be given to the strong impact of cultural factors and ethnic patterns on the foreign born and their children which affect their ability to make effective use of community resources. 2. The beneficial societies of nationality organizations, because of their knowledge and experience, should be used as a resource in interpreting and meeting the special needs and problems of foreign-born aged. 3. The leadership of nationality groups and organizations should be involved in the planning of health and welfare services. These organizations can make an important contribution to the welfare community by sharing ideas and working jointly with social welfare planners in developing effective programs for meeting needs in the community. 4. Intensive research should include a study of the effect of ethnic culture on the aging and their problems. LABOR AND PUBLIC WELFARE UNITED STATES SENATE EIGHTY-SIXTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION 43350 PART 4.-SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. OCTOBER 28 AND 29, 1959 Printed for the use of the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare UNITED STATES WASHINGTON: 1960 SUBCOMMITTEE ON PROBLEMS OF THE AGED AND AGING JOHN F. KENNEDY, Massachusetts EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN, Illinois SIDNEY SPECTOR, Staff Director UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONTENTS STATEMENTS Armstrong, Dr. Barbara, University of California, Berkeley, Calif-- Borchardt, Marjorie, president, Senior Citizens Association of Los Angeles 902 Prepared statement__. 899 Born, Ronald H., director, Department of Public Welfare, City and County of San Francisco, Calif.. 933 Prepared statement.. 931 Breslow, Lester, M.D., chief, bureau of chronic illnesses, State Department of Public Health, Berkeley, Calif.. 968 Prepared statement_. 965 Brown, Robert A., housing director, California Institute of Social Welfare, Los Angeles, Calif., prepared statement- 834 Burcham, Ruth E., Visiting Nurse Association, San Francisco, Calif....... 945 Prepared statement__. 940 Burton, Hon. Philip, assemblyman, State of California-- 775 Butler, Gen. Frederic B., U.S. Army (retired), chairman, Catholic Committee for the Aging, San Francisco, Calif_ 816 Prepared statement---. 815 Chamberlain, Selah, president, United Community Fund, San Francisco, 789 Coliver, Norman, chairman, Social Planning Committee, United Givers 784 Prepared statement---. 778 Corrie, John E., supervisor of employment services for older people, California Department of Employment.... 809 Culver, Elsie Thomas, chairman, Commission on the Churches' Responsibility to Older Persons, Northern California-Nevada Council of Churches, prepared statement__ 989 Cumming, Gordon, chief Bureau of Hospitals, Department of Public Dittmar, C. F., Oakland, Calif., prepared statement- 994 Ferguson, Russell S., M.D., health officer, Santa Cruz County, Calif.. 962 Prepared statement.. 956 Freedman, Dr. Donald K., chairman, medical care section, American 949 Prepared statement__ 947 Geddes, Samuel R., member of the assembly, California State Legislature_ Haggerty, C. J., secretary-treasurer, California Labor Federation, San 790 Hirt, Mrs. Eloise S., San Francisco, Calif., prepared statement_ 866 1000 Kuchel, Hon. Thomas H., a Senator from the State of California, prepared statement__ 838 |