benefits of the law for older persons. Creation of the National Senior Citizens Law Center in 1972 to support litigation on behalf of the elderly has increased the ability of programs to handle legal problems in areas such as pensions, nursing homes, social security, and protective services, in addition to SSI. The expansion of the aging network and the availability of resources under the Older Americans Act for outreach, transportation, and specialized services has increased the capacity of local legal services projects to serve elderly clients. The project reporting system will provide information to the individual programs and to the corporation that will enable us to measure the extent to which elderly clients are being served in proportion to their presence in the poverty population, to identify problems that may still exist, and to take corrective action if any is warranted.

(5) Joint Agreement with the Administration on Aging.-The Legal Services Corp. is developing with the Administration on Aging a joint agreement designed to encourage cooperative reationships between the two organizations nationally and, of even greater importance, stimulate such relationships between aging networks and legal services programs locally. Because local legal services programs, in their efforts to deliver services to the elderly, confront particular problems of outreach, education and transportation, and because the aging network is particularly suited to alleviating such problems, cooperation can lead to expanded services to the elderly. In many communities where lack of funding limits local legal services programs to the general practice of law, the availability of resources under the Older Americans Act can make possible specialized services for the elderly. Similarly, the participation of local legal services program personnel in the activities of the aging network, including education of older persons about their legal problems and training, and technical assistance to network personnel working with older persons, can increase access to legal services for the elderly.

The specific objectives of the agreement are to expand the awareness by legal personnel of the legal concerns and problems facing older persons, to expand the understanding by older persons of their legal rights, to increase the number of legal personnel trained to serve and work on behalf of the elderly of the Nation, and to increase the number of communities in which legal services are available and accessible to the elderly.

(6) Assignment of Legal Services Corp. Personnel to the Administration on Aging. At the request of the Administration on Aging, the Legal Services Corp. has agreed to assign an individual from the corporation to assist the Administration in managing its legal services development specialist program and in developing other programs and policies that will encourage the expansion of legal services for the elderly. It is expected that this individual, a person experienced in the delivery of legal services to the elderly, will be assigned to the Administration on Aging early in 1977.

The Legal Services Corp. is committed to the goal of assuring high quality legal assistance to all of the poor, including the elderly. The vital need for legal services for older persons is increasingly recognized-by legal services programs, by the aging network, and by the legal profession generally. That recognition is, in no small part, a result of the leadership that your committee has provided. We appreciate your efforts and welcome the opportunity to work with you.

Cordially,

THOMAS EHRLICH, President.

Appendix 3

REPORTS FROM FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS AND

AGENCIES

ITEM 1. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

DECEMBER 27, 1976.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: In response to your letter of November 9, 1976, enclosed is a summary of major activities on aging by the Department during 1976. l'lans far activities in 1977 are stated in the summary. If we can assist you further, please let us know. Sincerely,

J. PAUL BOLDUC, Assistant Secretary for Administration.

[Enclosure.]

ACTIVITIES OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO HELP

OLDER AMERICANS

ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE

The Economic Research Service is engaged in studies designed to gain insight into the needs and problems of elderly people living in nonmetropolitan areas. Over one-third of our Nation's 22.4 million older citizens lived outside standard metropolitan statistical areas in 1975. About two-thirds who reside in nonmetro areas live in counties with a town or city of 2,500 to 25,000 people. While overall a small proportion reside on farms, many mid-American farm belt States have a relatively high concentration of people 65-plus years of age. The following studies were completed or underway during the calendar year 1976.

THE AGED BENEFIT FROM NUTRITION PROGRAM

A pilot study of 200 elders in west-central Arkansas was completed in late spring of 1975. One of the objectives was to ascertain the extent to which relatively low-budget programs, such as congregate meals (title VII, Older Americans Act of 1965), might substitute for hospitalization. There is a serious need to reduce the demand for hospitalization, since, at the national level, it is experiencing the most rapid price inflation of the health care components; and it accounts for 39 percent of medical care expenditures. The finding was that participants in the congregate meals program had reduced annual hospitalization, compared with a "matched set" of nonparticipants, sufficient to offset 76 percent of the estimated cost of the congregate meals program. This reduction was experienced in spite of the fact that a desirable medical screening program was an integral part of the congregate meals program and would be expected to result in a temporary increase in hospitalization of participants. Other benefits reported by the participants in the congregate meals program included fewer days spent in bed due to illness or injury during year ending July 1975 (mean of 8 bed days compared with 18 for the "matched set" of nonparticipants). Publication: "An Evaluation of Congregate Meal Programs and Health of Elders: Scott County and Fort Smith, Arkansas," Ark. Agr. Expt. Sta., University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark., July 1976.

NORTHEAST NONMETRO ELDERLY

A subset of data from a regional project, "Community Services From Nonmetropolitan People in the Northeast," was used to document the overall eco

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nomic and social situation of elderly households and their satisfaction with community services. Focus was on that segment of the population 60-years of age or over with independent living arrangement. Excluded were the institutionalized elderly and elderly in households with a nonelderly household head. The nonmetro elderly reported that their homes were convenient to shopping places, hospitals, family doctors, places of worship, and banking and service delivery systems in their communities. They were highly satisfied with the fire department, ambulance service, police department, and medical services. About half of the households indicated access to public transportation was inconvenient and the service unsatisfactory. The general lack of public transportation in the nonmetro areas of the Northeast has been documented by hearings before the Special Committee on Aging.

Their total household income position was tenuous. Dependence upon relatively fixed sources of income suggested that an improved ability to pay for goods and services was dependent upon transfer payments and/or a reduction in the costs of goods and services required by them. Females 75 years and older, living alone, had especially low incomes. Low educational levels, coupled with problems of age discrimination and lack of job opportunities, make it difficult for elderly persons to improve their economic situation.

PILOT STUDY OF NONMETRO ELDERLY

In August 1975, a pilot survey of elderly persons in Powell County, Ky., was completed. Powell County is located in rural southern Appalachia. Among the 399 elderly persons aged 60 and over interviewed, 95 lived alone. Nearly half of the older respondents were married couples living in a household independent of their own children and other relatives. The remainder resided with own children or relatives, but in most cases, the household in which they resided was headed by an elderly person.

Preliminary analyses show that persons in the sample have relatively diverse economic and social characteristics. But these persons tended to have similar types of problems and needs regardless of their age and/or sex. Transportation was expressed as a problem by one-third of the respondents, most of whom were women and unable to drive. The most common mode of travel was as a passenger in a friend's, relative's, or neighbor's car. Use of own car was the second most utilized mode of transportation.

Total household income was generally low, showing the tenuous financial situation many elderly households face, mainly among those living alone. Overall, the elderly were highly dependent upon relatively fixed sources of income, mainly social security and pensions. Only a few of the respondents had some income from income-producing assets. The owned home and lot was the most important asset.

Nearly three-fourths of the respondents expressed an interest in a center for the aged. Only 43 percent indicated they would be willing to pay some money to support such a facility. The respondents were asked to assess the needs that might be served by a center for older people. From a list of 11 typical needs of older persons, they were most interested in health-related services. Generally, women were more interested in leisure activities than men.

PLANS FOR 1977

The results of the congregate meals program study in west-central Arkansas were sufficiently promising that plans are being developed to conduct full-scale inquiries. A larger sample will be utilized to make comparisons of medical care usage based on data provided by the Arkansas Health Systems Foundation. In addition, inquiries will be made to determine what, if any, differences occur between participants in the nutrition program and nonparticipants.

One or more reports on the Powell County elderly survey will be published. One report will highlight the survey findings by identifying demographic and economic characteristics of elderly households and individuals. It will identify basic problems they face including the magnitude of these problems. A second report will examine in depth those demographic and economic factors that are closely associated with identified basic problems facing rural elderly people.. It is hypothesized that their problems are not singular in nature but have a high interrelationship between them.

Development of a project on the labor force participation of older Americans is planned. The project will focus on their work experience, income, and other

economic and social characteristics, plus the impact of retirement and need for preretirement planning among rural people.

FARMERS HOME ADMINISTRATION

The Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) currently administers 23 programs designed to loan or grant funds that will result in an improvement in the quality of life for those living in rural America. Our housing programs have offered the most assistance to the aged. The community program type loans have improved life for all persons residing in the rural areas.

During fiscal year 1976, it is estimated that there were 9,000 housing units created or upgraded for the elderly through FmHA housing programs. These units represent nearly 8 percent of the agency's total housing activity. During this same period, over 55,000 elderly families obtained FmHA farm operating type credit. This equals approximately 5 percent of the total recipients of these types of loans. Nearly 1 percent of those receiving our farm ownership loans (about 1,000 loans) were made to elderly persons for the purchase of and development of farmlands.

In addition to the above, our agency has improved the quality of rural resident life by providing funds for such items as hospitals, ambulances, health centers, nursing homes, water and sewer facilities, community centers, etc.

During fiscal year 1977, our goal is to serve all eligible elderly persons applying for FmHA assistance. It is anticipated that the number of these folks will at least equal those served during the previous fiscal year, with one exception. This exception will be in our individual-type housing loans. Here, we are making a strong effort to serve more elderly, low-income homeowner families that are in need of assistance to make minor repairs and improvements to their homes.

EXTENSION SERVICE, USDA

HOME ECONOMICS

A milestone in Extension Service programs was the first national extension workshop on programing with the elderly. This extension committee on policy (ECOP) approved workshop attracted 97 extension State staff members from 42 States and the District of Columbia. For 3 days the participants increased their knowledge and understanding of (1) the aging process, (2) needs and interests of the elderly, (3) how to involve the elderly in educational experiences that will result in a more satisfying and independent way of life, (4) ways to provide statewide leadership in programs with the elderly, (5) current education programs and materials relevant to reaching and teaching the aging, (6) how to improve cooperation with coworkers, other agency representatives and leaders in the field of aging. As a result of this extensive effort, States like Connecticut, Nebraska, Texas, and North Dakota will have statewide inservice training for extension home economists on how to more effectively reach and teach the elderly.

The aging program leader in home economic, ES, USDA participated in the National Indian Conference on Aging in Phoenix, June 15-17, 1976. This staff member is also a representative to NVOILA and actively supports and publicizes this and other programs of the National Council on Aging. She represents ES on the AoA two interagency committees Energy Conservation and Information and Referral. Newsletters to an aging contact at one of the land grant institutions in each State informs them of new programs for the elderly and shares program ideas with them. Many States like Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Mississippi share this information plus local information through newsletters with their counterparts in counties.

Extension home economists made 111,644,600 contacts in the 50 States, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, and the District of Columbia during the year. It is reasonable to assume that a number of these were with older citizens. Additional resources-money and time-were expended on educational programs for the elderly during the year. Some examples of programs in States are given below.

TEXAS AGING PROGRAMS

The 191 county committees on aging are dedicated to utilizing the experience, wisdom, and potential community involvement of older Texans. Through these committees, 3,820 volunteers participated in developing extension educational activities for more than 93,785 older adults.