The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-02-14
JeIOish Home, Lodging
House Maybe Closed
Jewish Institution, Salvation Army
Found Inadequate; Diocesan Bureau,
Lincoln House, Juvenile Court Praised

MUMMY sefNtccss
Liquidation OF the Jewish Home
Cor the Aged and shuttlng-d OF
the Salvation Army Lodge arc
recommended by the Community
Survey Associates In the recent sur
Vey report which contains an
analysis Of the various branches OF
social service In Waterbury.
The Jewish Home Is termed a
"1re hazard" and inadequate from
the aspects Of physical standards,
program, and expense, The survey
stan draws up alternative plans for
care Of the home occupants pending
liquidation OF the residence.
Inadequate Facilities
Facilities of the Salvation Army
Lodge arc described as very unsat-
isfaetory and inadequate, and the
survey experts question the value OF
a program for congrcgate care OF
translents. The Brookside Home
and temporary hotel lodging are
suggested as substitutes for the
lodge.
In its analysis of the social serv-
ice units of the city, the survey
group makes frequent praise Of par
ticular work and organization OF
various agencies
The survey staff commended the
Diocesan Bureau of Social Service
for Keeping complete and up-to-
date records, chronological case his
tories and for routine clearing OF
cases with Central Index and reg
istered agencies.
In general the case work OF the
agency is good from the standpoint
Of tangible services, warm under
standing relationships and sustain
ed treatment with considerable sup
portive help" the survey asserted.
The report praised the Bureaus
careful placement Of children and
its successful experiment with a
play room for children.
More attempts should be made to
interpret the services to the sources
of referral such as schools, churches
or group agencies, industry and
labor. Early case finding would pre-
vent considerable family break
down" the survey added.
There is also a need for home
maker service. more facilities for
the chronic SICK and a counseling
and boarding home program for the
aged, the staff advised.
Lincoln House Praised
Lincoln House. organized in 1909
as the Associated Charities OF Wa
terbury. drew high praise from the
survey experts for its well-kept rec
ords, good relationships with clients
and genuine interest in giving serv-
ice, its consistent use of medical and
health services and cooperative rela-
tionship with other agencies.
The agency has established eX-
cellent relationships with industry.
Several cases handled have been on
debt adjustment. Definite budget
plans we're set up with the clients,
an understanding arrived at with
creditors and contacts maintained
with the family so difficulties were
Anticipated and planned for" the
survey commented.
Weak spots which should receive
attention, according TO the survey
staff, were inadequate referral let
ters TO agencies. insufficient prepar-
alton OF client or agency in refer
rails, inadequate use of psychiatric
services and too large a proportion
of cases receiving relief
II was also recommended that
the work OF the Travellers Aid Serv-
ice needs to be done by a profess
sional staff such as is found in a
family agency. The volume Of work
does not warrant a separate organ
ization. the survey concluded.
Jewish Home Hazardous
The Jewish Home for the Aged,
which houses from eight to ~ elder
~ people, is a three-story house
which is not fire-proof and would
be very hazardous To the residents
in case of fire, the survey disclosed
The home is very bleak and bar
rem with little or no facilities for
diversion" it adds.
The home is governed by a board
Of directors and operated by a sup
erintendent. He does everything eX-
cept the cleaning, including looking
after handicapped or i'll persons.
both men and women, the survey re-
ported.
This home Is not at all adequate
either in physical standards or a
program to be used for an old
peoples home. 1t is very expensive
10 run such a small institution ade-
quately so that some other plan of
care would be much better, The to-
tai budget was estimated at APP
proXimately Sl3,750, including sal
airy, food. medicine and mainten-
ance," the survey continued.
Places might be found for these
old people in Jewish Homes in
other communities and paid for on
a per diem basis. it was suggested.
A sounder plan would be TO develop
through a subsidy plan two or three
boarding homes and if necessary a
nursing home. Visiting doctors and
nurses could be used, it added.
Either suggestion, use of an out
of-town institution or the local pro-
gram suggested, would provide much
better service at a substantial fin
aneial saving, the stan declared.
Until the Jewish Home for the
Aged can be liquidated, all applica-
tons for care at the home should
be made through the new Center,
which would assume responsibility
for making suitable arrangements
for the care Of aged persons after
the home is liquidated. the survey
advised.
Suggests Closing
The Salvation Army lodge at %
i-2 ScOvill street should be closed
because OF the entirely unsatisfac-
tory nature OF the quarters and
facilities, the group advocated.
The program in the lodge is OF
questionable value due to the very
unsatisfactory and inadequate facil-
tiles. The building Is in an extreme
ly poor and socially bad environ
Hnent. II is not fire proof, is dark
and dingy, and on the whole not