Evening star., 1946-11-08
Survey Asks Improved
Program 10 Care for
Aued in District

Facilities for the care of chron-
lcally i'll, aged persons in the District
are far from adequate, according to
a report made public today by the
Social Survey.
The report, by members Of the
Family and Child Welfare Commit
tee, also anticipated vastly greater
need in the years ahead for caring
for the aged, on account Of Wash
ington's mounting population.
The report pointed out it was not
enough to expand the present in
stitutional facilities, but that more
boarding homes would be required.
1t charged Washington is tagging
behind communities elsewhere.
Private custodial care for the aged
in the District is supported by sepa-
rate interests of churches, fraternal
orders and individuals, without con-
forrnity to any established COM
nunity-wide plan, the survey says.
However, Washington provides care
for a variety of different groups of
aged persons, and care for well per-
sons appears to be available for all
but few who have applied for help.
While the Home for the Aged
and Infirm at Blue Plains is now
antiquated and inadequate, a start
has been made in the direction of
correcting this condition, it was said.
Similar corrective work has been
taken, the survey reports, by the
Council of Social, Agencies in Great
ing greater interest in the develop
ment of voluntary Institutional
services. -
Three Services Needed:
In developing services that will
meet the total community need,
three types of services are needed
in Washington, the survey said.
These are: A study, information and
referral service; institutional service,
and unconstitutional service.
A bureau for the aged, logical
function Of the Council Of Social
Agencies, should be established for
the study of the problem as a whole
and for the handling of inquiries
and referrals, the committee recon-
mended.
For persons with small income
from old age and survivor insur-
arlce or private incomes insufficient
TO meet full normal living costs of
living, and having both the health
and the desire to live as part Of
the community, subsidized boarding
homes or apartment houses should
be established, the survey suggested.
In all planning for the aged, pro-
vision should be made for couples
to live together, it was said, and
facilities for home nursing and
housekeeping service should be
greatly expanded and programs for
recreation and occupational therapy
developed. q
Program Recommended.
In commenting on the response
oilities of public agencies, the sur
vey recommended:
'aThe Home for the Aged and
Tnfirm should be reconstructed as
soon as possible, making use of the
knowledge of the best authorities,
both in construction of the build
ngs and In the provision of high
of care.
"a system of licensing should be
for nursing and board
ng homes with staf1 that is trained
10 supervise the maintenance Of
proper standards of care.
'"The Board of Public Welfare
should give consideration to the de-
of boarding homes for old
,eople unable to maintain their own
homes, but not yet in need Of insti-
;utional care.
"The Health Department should
extend its program of home nursingI
md housekeeping service to provide
or the large RrOlln of old r1eODlel