"What Do We Want For Our Senior Citizens?" is a very effective handout or "throwaway" type leaflet, for use at exhibits, meetings, etc., with information about the New Jersey State Division of Aging, 129 E. Hanover St., Trenton. Copies

are available without charge if a stamped, selfaddressed letter-size envelope is included with each request.

Also available without cost from the New Jersey Division of Aging, in limited quantity to persons dealing with services for elderly persons, is the August 1959 issue of Public Health News (published by the New Jersey State Department of Health), which is devoted to "The Senior Citizen in the Community." It contains proceedings of the April 1959 Governor's Conference on Aging, described by Governor Meyner as the "best attended conference of its kind ever held in the United States." Papers presented by outstanding experts in various aspects of the field of aging are included.

A very interesting speech Dr. Mel J. Ravitz of the Wayne State University Sociology Department, "Role of the Aged in American Society" (6 pp.; processed), given on November 13, is available in limited supply, without charge, from the author, Detroit City Plan Commission, 8th Floor, City-County Building, 400 Woodward, Detroit 26.

An interim report and case study (May 1959; 7 pp.; processed) prepared by Mason C. Doan of the Research and Statistics Division of the Federal Housing Administration, is an encouraging account of the Vine Court housing project for the elderly in Hartford, Conn., which has met with remarkable success the need for multi-family, low-rental, private housing arrangements for retirees. The non-profit sponsor in this case is Church Homes, Inc., a group of Congregational churches. The report includes a chronological outline of steps taken from initiation to completion, which will be of particular interest to future sponsors of FHA-insured housing projects for the elderly. Single copies, in limited supply, are available from Mrs. Mary Cleverley, Housing for the Elderly, FHA, HHFA, Washington 25, D. C.

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVO PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300 (GPO)

The Home-Study Department of the Universit of Chicago (60th at Dorchester, Chicago 37) ha issued two interesting reports on experience wit the learning ability of older people. Both a available upon request, in limited supply, from the Department's director, Mr. Leonard S. Stein

• "Administrative Report No. 4" (Nov. ! 1958; 8 pp.) describes the Department's Citizens World Affairs Program. It begins by pointin out that older people especially older men-d better in this unique program than younge people.

• "Administrative Report No. 7" (Sept. 1959 16 pp.) discusses a course on personal "Comme Sense" investments, and points up the same phe

nomena.

Mr. Stein cites these two reports in support the view that correspondence courses offer a particularly attractive opportunity to people over 4 who tend to be better learners, more persistent and presumably more highly motivated, and who en joy the convenience of this medium of education

"The Retired Man Looks Back," an 11-page summary of discussions of the Tuesday Men's Luncheon Club, Senior Center, Community House. 620 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka, Ill., was published to give thoughtful answers to the question: What would do differently-the second time around? A group of retired men examine prob lems of when to prepare for retirement, wha planning programs individuals should develop how mandatory retirement can be faced, and then go on to explain how they themselves hap pened to retire. In a plastic binding, this book let is available in limited supply at 25¢ per copy Requests may be addressed to Mrs. Janet S. Bur goon, Director of the Senior Center.

Minnesota Report

No. 63

Shows Recognition of
New Challenges in Aging

This report of progress from Minnesota was prepared nd submitted by Mr. Bernard E. Nash, Special Consultant n Aging in the State of Minnesota's Department of Pubic Welfare (St. Paul 1), and Secretary of the Minnesota Planning Committee for the WHCA.

A youthful "pioneer" in the field of aging, Minnesota has maintained a fast pace in its development of programs and services for elderly citizens.

With a history of formal committee activity dating back only to 1951, a basic philosophy has evolved to guide the State's activities, studies, and future plans. Foremost among the beliefs of the Governor's Citizens Council on Aging is a recognition that one of the major "problems" of the aging is society's attitude. The Council insists. that attitudes towards aging and the aged create most of the social ills confronting our aging citizens. Therefore, they emphasize the need for citizen education, especially at the local level.

The second guiding belief in Minnesota is that the problems of older citizens are the problems of everyday life-problems of human beings. We prefer to think of these issues as the "challenges of later life," similar to challenges which are met by every age group. Thus, little need is seen for creating a new "geriatric social structure." The approach, rather, is to identify special challenges faced in the mature years, and creatively to adapt existing social services in order to help resolve these challenges.

The third guiding belief is that a refinement must be made of the term "aging." Too frequently programs are described for this age group as if all individuals over 65 are dependent, decrepit, and demoralized.

In studies and program planning, we in Minnesota keep in mind a responsibility for three separate age groups. The first is 45 to 64 years of age, when basic issues include the elimination of discrimination, assurance of opportunities for full utilization of talents, and intelligent planning for the years ahead.

Study of needs, and development of programs, for the group over 65 focuses on those barriers in society which prevent fulfilment of the dreams and aspirations usually held about the "retirement period."

Study and planning for the third group is focused more intensely on dependency needs. We do not put a minimum or maximum age on this third group, but simply refer to it as the period in life when physical and financial resources have diminished sufficiently to require outside assist

ance.

Early WHCA Planning

Governor Orville L. Freeman appointed his Citizens Council in 1956. In that year, 53 town meetings and a Governor's Conference on Aging were conducted. In 1957, the Legislature appointed a Consultant on Aging in the Department of Public Welfare, and strengthened the Governor's Citizens Council by providing funds.

The 27-member Council, under Mrs. Althea Atwater, a retired social worker, originally conducted its hearings as a total group. But it has subsequently divided into 12 committees and subcommittees, all active and meeting monthly, in order to cover more adequately the tremendous depth and breadth of problems in aging.

Planning for the White House Conference on Aging began already in November 1958 at the time of our Second Governor's Conference on Aging. A tentative State plan was drafted and submitted to Washington in December 1958. The Citizens Council asked Governor Freeman to appoint Dr. Arnold M. Rose, professor of Sociology

at the University of Minnesota, as chairman of its WHCA planning committee. In January 1953. Dr. Rose selected his committee members and the program got underway officially

Minnesota's Formal Program

Minnesota's preparatory program for the WHCA is six-fold:

1. A "Fact Book on Aging" is being developed. Statistics available from various resources, including data gathered by the State departments, will be compiled in a single publication to give an adequate picture of aging in Minnesota. The way in which this material will be published is unique. Believing that most activities in local areas are carried on by lay citizens, the Committee is anxious to provide them with information that does not require professional interpretation. The data will be published by counties; statistical tables will be kept to a minimum.

2. The second part of the program is a county demonstration project in five rural counties. Staff assistance is provided for public or private groups which develop programs for the aging. We believe that a more permanent program is assured with professional direction, even though communities will resolve many of their more obvious problems, once they are stimulated. In the development of "friendly visiting" and recreational programs, considerable time is spent with the group sponsoring the activity.

This overall demonstration project goes further than counselling, however, with the requirement that a county committee has to be formed before a consultant may be placed in their area. Health, housing, employment, and other problems are being studied by the committee with the hope that more local solutions will be developed.

In three months the demonstration project has already resulted in formation of nine golden age clubs in communities ranging in population from 175 to 31,000. It has resulted in the establishment of five county committees on aging, and four local committees. It has aided in the conducting of several town Christmas parties, and in the initiation of community surveys. One county is already exploring the need for a nursing home, and another is considering a day center. It should he et asi zed that these are five rural counties. $. Ancher item on the State's program for the was a result of the Social Security *******ant for a study of the effects warm persons in retirement. *****s were completed during the

01

Ny ve students from the UniMex Agricultural Department. wNp to gotlight existing re

Communities involved range in populati H from 3,000 to 35,000. Each interview, about minutes long, touches upon every aspect of dai life. Most significant is the assistance offered many organizations who wish to participate Newspapers in some of these communities carry 0 a weekly account of the survey's progress. M papers gave front-page story treatment to the 5 selection of their community for the survey.

AAUW branches were able to obtain assistance from Lions and Rotary Clubs, Junior Chambers of Commerce, and similar organizations, in carry ing out the interviews. Thus a broad base of understanding of the needs has been established in these communities.

The State University and some State colleges have given students credit for participating in the interviews. Assistance with coding and tabulation was provided by the Retired Teachers A sociation, and by the Medical Auxiliary.

Local

5. The fifth project in preparation for the WHCA is a series of regional conferences o aging conducted through the State colleges in six regions in Minnesota. Average attendance at these meetings has run around 300. Emphasis is on how to organize local programs. branches of AAUW have assisted in the mailings, and in handling registration for the programs. In each case, the college provides the facilities and the Governor's Citizens Council provides the speakers and workshop leaders. Four conferences have been held to date. On February 26 and 27, the final two meetings will be held at Moorhead State College and Bemidji State College. (See notice in the "Conferences and Courses" column.) Two of the State colleges want to set up this kind of regional meeting on an annual basis, and one has already begun plans to do so.

6. The final preparatory project is Minnesota's third Governor's Conference on Aging, scheduled for August 25-26 at the Nicollet Hotel in Minneapolis. Present plans indicate this conference will be designed as a "small" WHCA with a review of recommendations already submitted by various voluntary organizations for submission

Other Activities

In addition to this formal State plan, considere activity by different organizations in the te has grown out of the publicity and interest ich have already been generated. Two Renal Welfare Conferences in 1959 devoted half ir time to the aging; another conference deed full time. In addition, a series of leaderp training institutes in the metropolitan areas. ; been started. The Committee on Aging in nnepin County, and the Department of Recrean in St. Paul, have both organized and concted a series of institutes for persons working th the older age group, including recreation ders, nursing home operators, volunteers, etc. it of these meetings has come the request for a e-day session at the Minnesota Welfare Conrence to discuss organizational techniques for mmunity leaders on a statewide basis. This ll be held on March 7.

Another separate, significant project is the thering of recommendations. A preliminary ailing to some 450 organizations described the innesota program and the WHCA. A second ailing requested participation in the formation recommendations. Subsequent mailings of a ewsletter with progress reports from various arts of the State program are being planned. 'hile we hope that all organizations will submit me recommendations, we know that at least all them will be informed about projects we now ave in Minnesota in the field of aging.

An interesting result of activities already nderway is the amount of publicity. In Mineapolis, newspapers have long been interested 1 giving space to the aging. Many rural papers re likewise willing to publish stories prepared r offered by us. We got coverage by about 80% f the State's newspapers on one story.

In 1958, newspapers had been asked to paricipate in a "Senior Salute" program. It was uggested to them that a weekly "salute" be pubished to honor some local elder citizen. Several papers still continue to do so; others are just now beginning to pick up this idea. A series of radio roadcasts over station KUOM begins in February; a popular broadcaster has agreed to give a hree-minute spot on his weekly Sunday program. Local Organization

Twenty-two local committees on aging have been organized in Minnesota. These are "carbon copies" of the Governor's Citizens Council, but they are quite independent from this organizacion. The State Consultant on Aging, who acts as staff for the Governor's Council, also serves as consultant to these local committees. Thus a close working relationship with the Governor's

Council exists. Intensive local programs, a variety of surveys, and stimulation of projects in even the smallest communities, has been achieved by these local committees. In one county, with a total population of only 10,000, the local committee has stimulated interest in the development of a private housing project for the elderly.

State Government

Many special studies and projects are underway in various State departments, both in preparation for the WHCA, and for long-term planning. The Health Department recently published a history on the development of nursing homes and homes for the aged in Minnesota. It is also providing consultation to a citizen's committee which is developing a classification of nursing homes in the State. The Civil Service Department has completed two training courses on preretirement planning for State employees. The Department of Public Welfare's medical division. has graduated its first class of practical nurses for work with the aged and chronically ill. The Department of Employment Security is extending its older worker training program to local offices.

The tempo of activity is increasing, and the response is refreshing and contagious. Operating on an annual budget of $15,000, Minnesotawith only one paid staff employee-has proven what can be accomplished under a Governor who strongly supports and actively participates in the State's program, together with a dedicated Citizen Council, creative and enthusiastic community groups, and a guiding philosophy of concern for mankind coupled with a determination to face reality.

The following letter was sent from the Office of the Secretary of HEW in Washington during the second and third week of January to all national organizations with programs in aging. If your letter has not arrived, you are invited to write for an application blank. To National Organizations:

This is to advise you that Secretary Arthur Flemming will select the national voluntary organizations who will have representation at the White House Conference on Aging, according to the criteria determined by the National Advisory Committee for the White House Conference on Aging.

If your organization is interested in this Conference and wishes to be considered for delegate status, an application may be obtained from this office, to be completed and returned by March 1, 1960 to:

Miss Esther C. Stamats, Staff of the White House
Conference on Aging, Department of HEW,
Washington 25, D. C.

You will be notified by June 15, 1960, if your application meets the requirements.

The expense of representation must be borne by the organization or the individual delegate.

Sincerely yours,

/s/ Mrs. Charles Hymes, Chairman, Committee on National Voluntary Services and Service Organizations, WHCA.

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE ARTHUR S. FLEMMING, Secretary

Published to share and exchange information about programs, activities, and publications among interested individuals, agencies, and organizations, under approval of the Bureau of the Budget dated August 22, 1957.

Subscriptions ($1.00 for 12 issues, 50¢ additional for foreign mailing, or 10¢ for single copies) should be addressed to Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C.

All other communications may be sent directly to Editor of Aging, Special Staff on Aging, U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Washington 25, D. C.

New HEW Appointments for Aging

Secretary of HEW Flemming on December 9 announced the appointment of Dr. James Watt, Director of the National Heart Institute of the Public Health Service, as Special Assistant to the Secretary for Aging.

At the same time, the Secretary announced the appointment of Mr. Robert H. Grant as Director of the Department's Special Staff on Aging and Staff Director of the 1961 White House Conference on Aging. Mr. Grant has served as Executive Officer of the National Heart Institute since 1955.

"Dr. Watt was selected for this role because of his familiarity as an administrator with the increasing research effort in the field of gerontology, including the significant pioneer work in this area done by the National Heart Institute," Secretary Flemming said. "Mr. Grant brings to his new duties a background of distinguished administrative work in government."

Dr. Watt will act as advisor to the Secretary and Miss Bertha S. Adkins, the Under Secretary, who has responsibility for Departmental policy and planning in the field of aging. Dr. Watt will continue in his position as Director of the National Heart Insitute.

Mr. Grant succeeds Mr. William Fitch, who recently resigned.

Dr. Watt has spent the major part of his professional life in the conduct and administration of medical research and public health activities. He was born in Thomasville, Georgia, in 1911. He has served in various parts of the world as a career medical officer with the National Institutes of Health since 1938.

Mr. Grant, was born in Washington, D. C., in 1912. He joined the staff of the National Heart Institute in 1950, serving as Administrative Of

NEWS ITEMS

In New York City, Jewish persons with te inal cancer are now being admitted and for by Beth Abraham Home, Allerton Avera Bronx River Parkway, NYC 67, which is on the largest voluntary nursing institutions for chronically ill in the country.

Until mid-December, there were no faci available for this kind of care in any of the Tu! tary hospitals and institutions operating u Jewish auspices in New York City. As a re most Jewish patients stayed at home, were ca for in Catholic or Protestant institutions, or « private nursing homes. The new pioneering s ice enables 25 patients to live in an orthodox vironment and at the same time benefit frez full range of medical and nursing service.

More information: Mrs. Samuel Zahn, pr dent of Beth Abraham Home.

The Massachusetts Legislature has created permanent Retirement Law Commission to ma a continuing examination of public employee sion costs and proposals for liberalization.

The Commission will conduct continuous stude of the operation of the State, teachers', and loc retirement systems, of the administration of thes systems by the various retirement boards, and proposed legislative changes. One of the ma duties of the Commission will be to report to Legislature the cost and effect of propose changes.

John E. Coyne, Esq., President of the Nation Conference on Public Employee Retirement Sye tems, and Legislative Counsel for the Massach setts Association of Contributory Retireme Boards, has been named as the Commissions chairman.

In Hawaii, the Governor's Interim Commissi on Aging has a new chairman and executive se retary. Rev. Harry S. Komuro, D.D., 1000 Sout Beretania St., Honolulu 14, is the chairman. Mrs Margaret Faye, State Office Building, King and Punchbowl Sts., Honolulu 13, is the executiv secretary.

Mr. David Jeffreys, Chief of Regional Office and State Relations for DHEW's Special Staff Aging, resigned December 20 to accept an ap pointment as assistant to the executive director off the American Association of Retired Persons and the National Retired Teachers Association. His new address at AARP-NRTA headquarters is 925

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