Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1950-07-06
The Plight OF Our Old People

NC IISHI VI wv OtN oOPIc
Once upon and long ago. advocacy of social
security called outright Socialism like many other
public welfare plans Today backed by overwhelming
majority cry social security of the indi
of the social change taking place in this country
Although vastly expanded social security and pensions
the aged could concevaby make the aged economical
y Independent large depending the
they live n) the question of special and still
remains basic problem This means that many if not most
Of the old people will have be confined nursing homes
In Scandinavia particularly in Sweden the notion behind
the social welfare programs for the aged gradu
ally reach stage where the nursing old age homes
be virtually abolished Sponsored by local national
governments these programs tend help bolster the
on of individuals under the guidance of special
agencies Aside from the regular pensions for
poor and rich alike allowances for and fuel
many instances given the aged making it possible for
them stay their natural environment In addition they
fortunate being able and high
ly efficient medical service
The psychological effect of this policy though yet
full operation obvious will enable the old pie
preserve essentially their independence least feeling
of independence and individual security which very
poran indeed After ALL normal person spends of
his life within family unit either growing
building his and the sudden transportation home
where be becomes part of collective has of nuring
his of personal pride 1t places the outside the
normal of life gives him her the feeling of being
wanted regardless of how good the may be- and
siderable loss of individual liberty and privacy involved
the United States have reached the stage
where the aged being for Individually within such
broad scope Of planning and purpose Far from
progressive of Washington present
situation where social welfare assistance being hapered
and threatened with serious curtaen while the federal
budget calls for spending billions for defense The
moral be spend huge fodder but
very little least enough protect the health
curity of those who need help.
Some statistics might help illustrate dilemma The
National Industrial Conference says that of persons
sixtyve in the United States present. only 81
per selfsupporng 20 retired past
Investments rs per dependent age assist
and % per partially supported least
family, friends charity In years there will be 49,
100000 persons sxtyfiye this country in
twelve years there viii be 10000 persons depend
outright charity. depression deterioration of
national economy would raise the figure greatly
This is all. The dilemma facing large percentage
of old people, only confined the grim
behind these figures More alarming that the ma
jory of nursing homes insufficient under-stafed
and poorly operated and that many the old
homes living in deporable conditions according auth
oratve 1t would be for greatly improve
the general standard of these homes for America they
will undoubtedly remain long time
We take pride the fact that Scandinavian rest homes
in the Northwest credited with high rating the pro-
of launching improvement and projects We
also proud know that within relatively future
Morse Home huge modern home complete with hos
pital, will be erected in Seattle.
The initiative in this field of
caI endeavor the tradition the old countries and
example in efficiency and foresight
erica a whole.-T. N.