POLICY STATEMENT

OVER THE YEARS, for one reason or another, the Federal Government has become deeply committed to various forms of aid to the individual citizen. In addition, there are many Federal activities that benefit the individual indirectly by strengthening his State and local governments by increasing the supply of trained people and by fostering research on the problems of the people. In the social welfare field, the Federal programs that benefit people directly and indirectly all have a common philosophy. The elements of that common philosophy are these:

1. A primary reliance on the individual's own efforts, with Federal aid encouraging and supplementing these individual efforts. OldAge and Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI), for example, provides a foundation on which nearly all citizens can build their own security.

2. Encouragement of private enterprise and voluntary organizations. The Federal tax system, for example, encourages the provision of pensions and other benefits by employers and also encourages philanthropic support of voluntary organizations.

3. A partnership with local and State governments, within our Federal System. Both the public assistance and the unemployment compensation programs, for example, recognize the differences among States and therefore provide for State administration.

4. A preference for indirect rather than direct forms of Federal aid. For example, Government insurance of home loans is more typical than direct Federal loans, although these are also extended when necessary.

The commitment of the Federal Government in the field of aging is more recent than its commitment to aid individuals as workers, parents, or homeowners, etc. Increasingly, the Federal Government is being asked to aid individuals as senior citizens or retirees. We believe that the same philosophy that has successfully guided the Federal Government in its previous efforts that aid individuals should be followed in the case of the new programs to help older people.

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THE NEEDS OF OLDER PEOPLE AND HOW THEY ARE

MET

To consider and evaluate Federal organization and programs in the field of aging requires an initial look at the needs and objectives they would serve. It is necessary, as well, to consider the relationship of Federal responsibilities to other resources, either active or potential, in our society. It is not to be argued whether we cherish self-reliance. It is not to be argued whether historic principles of family, community, and local governmental responsibilities have become any less valid. On the other hand, it must be recognized as the Congress did in calling for the White House Conference on Aging-that the situation of older people has been changing rapidly and dramatically. The growing awareness of the extent of the change has inevitably raised the question of Federal responsibility. Involved already in a variety of activities and programs directly or indirectly serving older people, are the Federal efforts well-coordinated among themselves and with the efforts of other public and private organizations?

In many States and cities, programs have been developed to meet the aging problem in a variety of ways. Most of these programs were started by individuals or local organizations that saw some specific need and marshalled available local resources to meet that particular need. The best of these programs, as their sponsors admit, are far from meeting the full needs of their respective communities. The types of need which these programs are striving to meet include the following:

Medical Care

The rising cost of medical care; the difficulties many of those over age 65 have in financing satisfactory hospital or medical insurance; the lack in many communities of special facilities for the chronically ill-either as part of a hospital or as separate institutions; the need for enough well-run nursing homes for older persons of limited income; and the lack of other health facilities serving the special needs of older people all these are questions of grave concern throughout the Nation.

There is also need to develop certain other specialized services which currently exist chiefly in the larger communities. These include a number of home care programs such as "homemaker services," which make it possible for older persons who might otherwise have to be institutionalized to realize some measure of independent living in their own homes. More preventive, restorative, and rehabilitative services for the disabled would make it possible to avoid institutionalizing many older people or permit their earlier discharge from chronic illness hospitals.

Housing

In many communities, the lack of small houses or apartments suited both to the needs and the pocketbooks of the elderly (including those dependent on public assistance) constitutes a problem of major importance. Boarding homes which provide some measure of care are also in demand, and there is a great need for more high-standard old-age homes, particularly for older women with small incomes. Job Opportunities

Employment for older men and women who are willing and able to work is also an important need.

The problem involves compulsorily-retired workers whose pensions are insufficient for their minimum needs as well as a large number of "over 50" workers in the labor market who are faced with unemployment due to merger, automation, or discriminatory hiring practices. Refresher courses are in growing demand for older or middle aged women who, having raised their families, now wish to enter or re-enter the labor market but need to brush up on old skills or acquire new ones.

Recreation and Social Contacts

The growing popularity of the "Golden Age" type of club in recent years is an indication of the deep-seated human need for friendly association. Many of these clubs have been organized on a shoestring and offer little more than opportunities for squaredancing, card playing, songfests, and social get-togethers. Multipurpose activity centers for the development of more such congenial activities are of prime importance.

Creative Leisure

Nearly all physicians, specialists in mental health, and social workers agree that to minimize the hazard of mental and physical deterioration, it is essential that retired persons continue some sort of creative activity or develop new interests. Classes for instruction in the various arts and crafts, club orchestras and dramatic groups, and weekly lectures on current events or topics of cultural interest are typical services of the more active clubs. Most communities need well-staffed, well-equipped activity centers in substantial quarters offering a wide range of creative activities. These have been established in some of the larger cities, either by private groups or as part of the municipal public welfare program.

Adult Education

Of equal importance is the need to expand adult education opportunities for older people, either as part of our public school system or in extension courses sponsored by colleges and universities. Courses in preparation for retirement, such as those given in some large firms, might well be made available in adult education classes for all men and women approaching retirement age. The library, too, is an educational institution. Successful efforts have been made by some community public libraries to organize weekly reading and discussion groups of older persons.

Community Service

Many older people with much leisure time at their command find an outlet for their energies and interests in volunteer work with religious, civic, or community health and welfare organizations. Encouragement of such activities by older people is one aspect of community services for older people.

It is important to remember that community services for aging are not intended solely for the poor or indigent. On the contrary, they are, or should be, directed to all men and women-both the aging and the aged-who can benefit from them, whatever their individual social, economic, or educational backgrounds.

Some Historical Perspective

To afford some measure of perspective on the Federal Government's responsibilities in the aging field, a brief account of its growing awareness of the problem, its developing commitment, and previous national meetings on this subject may be helpful.

It was not until the 1930's that the Nation generally became aware of the more tragic aspects of the increasing number of older people in our society. The sudden and drastic decline in employment throughout the country had widespread consequences. Many older workers lost their jobs. Social and welfare workers in the large cities were swamped by requests for help in meeting the problems of living arrangements for older people without families or those whose families could no longer support them. Hospitals, homes for the aged, and mental institutions were overcrowded with elderly people whose needs for domiciliary care could be met in no other way. The mounting cost of public assistance (then called "poor relief") was beginning to alarm the more heavily populated States.

The immediate result of the situation of the 1930's was enactment of legislation setting up a State-Federal Program of Employment Services (The USES) in 1933 and the Social Security Act of 1935. This latter established a State-Federal program of public assistance and the wholly Federal system of Old-Age Insurance