The Sidney herald., 1956-03-01
H.me For Aged
Proposed AT
Meeting Monday
BY Mrs. Guy Ross

ORO10 ~ N%aA
building a non-sectarian Home
for the Aged of this area, was
discussed at an open meeting in
the Richland county court room
Monday evening, attended by
about 20 persons.
Nels Bach, who served as chair
man of the meeting, introduced
Arley Bella, Williston attorney,
and member of the Board of Di-
rectors of the Bethel Home for
the Aged in Williston, who
sketched the experiences of the
Williston community in building
the Bethel Home.
Bella told of the setting up of
three committees, a planning COM
mittee to secure the site, contact
an architect and secure plans, and
take care of similar details; a fl
nance committee to raise the
necessary funds; and an organ
izing committee, to decide on the
exact type of organization to adj
minister the institution. Bella
also stated that the Bethel Home
is a project of the Evangelical
Lutheran church, because that
group has the largest representa-
ton in the Williston area, but
stressed that any home is defin-
itely a community project, and
that all churches should be rep
resented on its board of directors
and in its administration. He in
sisted that in order to function
properly it must be a Christian
Home, preferably with a resident
minister. and with support from
all churches.
Mr.. Bella told of the financing,
stating that it is not necessary
to have the entire cost of build
ing to start. The Bethel Home,
which cost about $780, 900 was
begun with only about 500, 900
with the balance being raised
thru the sale of bonds, which are
now being paid off from current
income. He stated that the home
accommodates rs persons and is
not nearly large enough. Cost per
patient runs from about SOS to
$3.50 per month, depending on
the care which is needed, but in
any case, is still much cheaper
than hospital care. He pointed
out that once such a Home is
built, it has no finance problem
since the costs, even of the indi-
gent patients, are taken care of
through state funds, and the cost
to the county is less than the cost
of the present system, which fire.
quently requires expensive hos
pitalization costs, simply because
there is no other place where pa
tients can be cared for.
He described the facilities of
the Bethel Home, and pointed out
that many of the construction re-
quirements are set by state law,
and so might differ somewhat in
another state.
Mrs. v. H. Ross reported on the
at the present Rich
land County Home for the Aged,
emphasizing that the entire plant
IS outmoded by present standards
and extremely crowded, although
good use is made of what is
available. No single group or or
yanization is responsible for the
welfare of the patients, although
Homemakers clubs have done a
good deal, and have effected some
improvements.
Following Mrs. Ross talk, Mr..
answered questions regard
ng the Bethel Home. He stated
hat the main thing is how best to
administer the project, rather
han who should control it, and
stated that various churches are
represented on the board of di-
'ectors, with voting in proper
ion to their membership. Admis-
ions are based on need, not on
denomination, and r Ia
strictly in the time order, in
which the applications r filed.
lie emphasized that the mechan-
cs of the organization of a Home
are UP to this community, b
Though similar institutions may
provide valuable suggestions.
DR.. Hyde, DR.. Carlson, DR.. Ben
on and DR.. ]. S. Beagle, all spoke
f the need for such an institu-
ion, and the ministers of a num-
,er of churches, and other bust
Iess and professional leaders ech-
ed the sentiments, and urged
he cooperation of all groups.
A motion was finally passed,
up a committee, to be ]
omposed of the ministers of each
hurch in Richland county, plus
ne layman from each church, to {
e named by the minister of his
hurch. This committee will ex-
lore the possibilities of joint ac-
ion in the program of building a ]
ONE. ]
Nels Bach was named chair /,
IAN of the committee, and Rev. {
E. SetneSs of Fairview, who {
ad served as temporary secretary {
Or the meeting, was named sec '
atary for the committee. The 7
ommittee will meet again next /
evening, March S in the I
ourt room if it is available, and
not there, at a place to be de- 7
ided. t