Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-01-23
SECURITY FOR YOU
Steps Urged
TO Benefit
Elderly
BY RAY HENRY
Associated Press stan Writer

BY RAY HENRY
Associated Press stan writer
For the past 10 years the
country has heard much talk
about the problems Of older
people. Because Of It. some
promising programs have been
started. But. the greatest out
put has been words. Now, its
time for action.
That was the conclusion of
Representative John Fogarty,
Democrat Of Rhode Island in
q speech made to the House of
Representatives within a few
hours after Congress resumed
In Washington.
What kind Of action does he
want?
II consider II essential" he
said. that We make rapid
progress in the employment Of
older people. in providing de-
cent housing that older people
can afford. in education and
training. in improving their
incomes and in research on
chronic disease and the aging
process"
Mr. Fogarty is in a good
position to get favorable con-
sideration OF his views BY both
Congress and the White House.
Hes chairman Of the House
subcommittee which passes on
the money to run both the
Departments OF Labor and
Health. Education end Welfare.
Both deoartments would be
directly involved in anv pro-
grams started for solving the
problems Of old people.
Asks Presidential Conference
The first step. Mr.. Fogarty
said. should be for President
Eisenhower to call together the
experts in the field Of aging.
get their advice and recon-
mend to Congress q broad pro-
gram to meet the old age prob
lens.
He introduced bill to pro-
vide for such a white House
conference" and q conference
In each Of the states. They
would be paid for by the Fed
eral Government and sponsored
by the Faith. Education and
Welfare Department.
What would Fogarty like to
have the conferences look at?
Employment - The con err
ence should determine what
additional measures should be
undertaken to reverse the pres
ent trend toward shelving older
workers. / cannot understand
why 1t is that when we have
extended the length Of life
and presumably. the period Of
physical vigor and health. the
proportion Of persons over the
age of IS who are at work
should continue TO decline"
Income-Despite advances In
raising the income Of older
people. two-thirds Of them are
trying to scrape along on in
comes Of less than $1,000 a
year. we have a clear obliga-
ton to bring together the ex-
perts along with representa-
tives Of the older population
itself to obtain the benefit OF
their thoughts ard advice On
how we can remedy the finan-
cial situation"
rie.ical Research Desired
Health Something like
three-Gfths of our Older people
are suffering from one and
often two or more long-term
illnesses and many of these are
in desperate need Of medical
care. Much Of the progress Tin
this field depends on further
research" We should know
from the experts how we may
speed up the progress Of re-
search"
Housing-A study Of housing
in Rhode Island in 1882 showed
thst one-third OF the States
older people were without GEN.
trail heating In their homes.
Twenty-scven per cent we're
forced 10 live in housing grossly
substan6ard in other respects.
The same is true Nationwide.
And. a broad proTram OF action
should be started.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES IL mil
lion Of our older people ARE not
working and are not likely to
work again unless 1t Is some
form Of part-time employment.
The tragedy is that we have not
found new ways in which they
can be useful and enjoy the
satisfactions Of belonging and
self-sufflciency. Unless we do
something about II, we
will fill our hospitals and old
age homes 70 overlooking and
have a growing population Of
embittercd elder people"
You may prite Ray Henry
In care OF The Star about your
own scotia lsecuritv or retire
ment problem. Please inclose a
stamped, selj-addressed enuel-
ope and rs cents In coin.)
Mcndoy. Some soeiol security
rules covering farmers, retirement
end deoth ore exploined.