The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-03-12
OLD FOLKS
Continued from Page One)

OC041 14lS W OIcA q 4A0A oAAAS3 @@OA~@N
must not be to make money, but
should be backed by a desire to
render real service" said Mrs.
Goldie Meekins, superintendent
of the Dare County Welfare De-
partment. "The social history of
the person wishing to render the
service must be satisfactory, and
if everything appears satisfac-
tory to the inspection team, a
recommendation can be made to
the state board for a license to
be issued"
The license for the home is
issued according to the facilities
available, and the capabilities of
the person or persons operating
the home. Therefore, the number
of patients allowed is limited,
according to the diseases for
which it is able to care for.
Who is Eligible
The first requirement for a
person to be eligible for govern
ment aid and placement in a Ii
censed boarding home is that the
home situation for the individual
not be satisfactory for the proper
care of them. A social history of
the person is then compiled-ill-
ness, type of medication needed,
emotional stability, family and
home situation. This enables the
person to be placed. in a home
which will fit his or her individ-
ual needs the best.
Cost to Taxpayers
A boarding or nursing home
gets usually 500 per month for
the care of each elderly person.
The home receives less compen-
sation for those who require less
care-such as those who can care
for themselves, and can get about
with ease. Of the 500, a maxi
mum of $55 is paid by the coun-
ty welfare department to the
home. All of this $55 does not
come from the county welfare
fund, but the county accountant
acts as bookkeeper and dis
tributing. agent for the federal
and state funds. The federal
government pays so per cent of
the total amount, the state 20 per
cent, and the county 20 per cent.
After the $55 is paid to the
home by the county, the rest of
the amount for the care of the
old person must come from his
or her individual family. This
usually does not amount to more
than $45, although more money
is sometimes given to the indi-
vidual by the family for spend
ing.
Homelike Environment
The idea behind the trend to-
ward smaller homes for the aged
is to provide for them as nearly
as possible a normal home en-
vironment. However, the home
generally has regular visiting
hours. Every patient in the home
has some problem. Each one is
senile to the extent that they
cannot take care of themselves;
otherwise, they wouldn't be in
the home. Some may be bed
ridden; some may have diabetes
and require injections periodi-
cally; or some may not be able
to shave themselves.
In this substitute home the
elderly have the association of
others their own age. They all
have problems, and they all get
good care.
Mrs. Midgetfs Home
Mrs. Ellis Midget was born
and raised at Bishops Chapel,
near Pantego, and graduated
from Pantego High School. Her
m i d en- name was Lofts
Bishop. Then she married Louis
Simpson, and lived up north
for long while. While raising
family of eight children, Mrs.
Simpson went to night school in
Patterson, N. j., where she took
training in nursing and dietetics.
She probably didn't realize it at
the time, but all along it was
preparing her for the service she
is rendering today. Mr.. Simpson
died in 1880. Mrs. Simpson
moved back to Manteo, and in
1947 she married Ellis Midget.
Mrs. Midget has been running
the boarding home since 1949. At
DreSent her daughter .Jacolle1vn