W ) t \ it ‘ I \ l L" ml ‘ 1 E. M ., u .gr [ ‘ l ‘ ‘ H I l ‘1 ‘~ “I‘ll \ % » :1 1;. i I } w 1‘ l I l 1 L I” ( A STUDY OF THE 0.1.0. DROP-IN-CENTER LANSING! MICHIGAN May, 1956 Mary T. Bacon A STUUY C? THE c. I. o. nHaP-IN-022,ER 1.22:2 2:222, 322122222 by fiary Thorpe Bacon A PHCJLCT R§PCAT Subvitted to the School of 3ocial fork Kichiznn fitnta University in 2159.?121-"21 £121; 4......"cnu of title? ?equ1remen a for the E‘efiree of May 1,,5 AIZ-DTOVBCJ (1" ,x’ C‘Ltzimfim‘x, kieqma‘ck C 32“.. “- ‘ 21388 (Kwafih/Vuiéhf‘{3§\96>FVEB z IMJBGMfl'QfEMMOdl #- flu“) ,7 , §.~ .I'} /, {J' .2 .' j ,1 _,/ 4:299 (77 ACKNOJLLDGjfiJNTS The writer is greatly indebted to Dr. Ernest B. Harper, Director of the School of Social work, Miss Margery .Ross, Assistant Professor. Dr. Lucille Barber, Assistant Professor. and Mr. Manfred Lilliefors, Lecturer for their guidance and interest in the preparation of this project. Gratitude is also exrressed to Mr. Oscar wade, C.I.O. staff representgtive on the United Community Chest, the local 0.1.0. Union, Mr. Richard C. Hicks, Executive Director to the United Community Chest, and Mr. Peretz Katz. Executive Secretary of the Community Services Council for their cooper- ation and assistance. The writer wishes to express her sincere thanks to the Catholic Social Service, with special graditude to its Director, Reverend John D. Slowey, for understanding and help in regard to this study. Finally, gratification is eXpressed to her mother, father, and daughters for their patience and understanding during the time that the study was written. 11 Tz‘LBLB 0F CCNTEFITS r a 9'3 i-\Jl O o O 0 O O O O o O 0 O 1 I. INTRO DI. CTTNI Statement of Problem Jett ng in which the ptudy was Made Assumptions H 24 II. HISTORICAL BRCKGROUND 9P3 CUPP H? C Eton. . . 5 Research Available III. MEPFODS AND PROCEDURES . . . . . . . . . 18 IV. PkuSZUNXTI J AND ANALYZIS OF DATA . . . . . 22 POUSi ng Income 01°14 Retirement F8 dingy and Friend Community ervices Particinat ion in Organizations Attendance Attitudes Tren830rtstion Referral Le-sure Tir e Activities Suggestions for Improvements 1- m v. 37“fia2Y 2ND ErcontitnnTICNs . . . . . . . #7 rxtent of Services se of Center by Retired People The Adequacies and Inadequacies of the Center B IBL IO GQnPHY. o o o o o o o o o o o o o o 5 3 APPEHDIYES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 iii Table 1. 7. 8. 9. 10. :J J ’4 ’0 +4 24 f' C) Daily Attendance and Prog.am During F‘ebl’uaZ‘Y. 1-1'6 0 o o o o o o o o 0 Characteristics of sample Group cf_Participants at Drop-In-Center. February. 1956 . . . . Length of Time in Present Residence . . -. . Living Arrangements. . . . . . . . . . Source of Income by Sex, February. 1956 . . . Reasons for Retirement, by Attitude Toward "'a Lfili- V, . 1‘- .\;3t-L.L¥J|n‘:JI-}'J. . Q Q Q Q Q Q C O O O Centsc.s With other Community Services, by Sex. Part ciputicn in Organization, by Sex. . . . Type of Attendance. Ma ch—-December, 1955 . . Toward Self, by Tyre of Attendince. . Toward Self. by Attitude Toward -I' a O O O I O O o I o o O O Attitude Toward Center. by Type of Attendance . Transportation Arrangements . . . . . . . Activities, and Hobbies of Intere2 . 1136:1138 o o o o o o o o o o 0 :‘+ #‘uB .2 +4 Pélfuic iv 38 39 bl Lfiaterent of “rch‘efi u.- The increase of our aging population has brourht about a need to examine the social services or'ered to olflsr neopie in our community. The writer selected s study of the Con re 0’ Infiustriel Organisations [hereafter known as 0.1.0.} .PPP- In-Centrr to determine the services offered to retired resple in Lansing. This study emuld exam he the uses made of the program by the participants to determine whether the Center was meeting the expressed and obseranie needs of the using penulnticn in Lansing. 3ince being in the field of social work. the writer has realized the lack of resources and services for our aging poruletion. 7he has found many of her elderly clients wit. desire for more social contacts without financiwl resources to fulfill their needs. The 0.1.0. Prep~1n~fienter was organized for retirees in Vsrch, 1955. 'The Center is not reatricted specifiC2lly to I C,I,o, Vnion merhere, but to retired Ferris in the COPPunity. From its insertion a program of leisure time activities has been offered to thoPe who attend the Center. pd 2 The data for this study Was obtained by the survey method. The writer interviewed, with the aid of a question- naire,1 a sample group of the participants in the Drop-In- Csntor Program. The interviewees were selected from the daily attendance book at the Center.2 The writer was intro- duced to the participants during the lunch hour at the Center by Mr. fissur Wade, 0.1.0. representative on the staff of the United Communit Chest. Thsre was a feeling of cooperation and enthusiasm among the group. At the beginning of each interview the writer reviewed the purpose of the interview, and for those who were not present at the initial introduction it was necessary to describe it more in detail. The Drop-In-Ctnter is leasted in a Union Hill at 1010 Rivsr Street, Lansing, Vichigan. It is open five days a week, Monday through Friday from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 F.U. A monthly pronrnm3 is arranged in advance by the 0.1.0. Community Services Committee. The participants of the Center have no direct part in planninn the program. Volunteer retirees take responsibility for the daily Operation of the Center and the 1586 Appendix A for questionnaire. 2833 Chopter II for specifics on method. See Appendix B. implementation of the program. A lunch, which is financed by the operating fund. is served every day that the Center is opened. Once a month particirants have a bohemian dinner at which they celebrate birthday wnich occur during the month. It will be noted that Table 1 shows the increased attendance on particular days. The days of bingo parties show a marked increase, as well as the day on which the birth- day party is held. TABLE 1 DAILY ATTENDANCE AMD PRDGRAM DURING FEBRUARY 1955 _._.___-_-. Day Number In Attendance Program Total I 502 1 28 cards and games 2 26 general activities 3 21 chairman of committees announcements 6 19 cards; progressive redro 7 l9 clean up day 8 60 birthday party 9 13 musician's day 10 22 cards 13 29 movies 1' MB bingo 15 2% discussion day 16 21 cards l7 16 visitors day 20 23 committee meeting 21 25 plans for retirees meeting 22 center closed’ retirees meeting 23 , 2“ cards 2h 13 movies 27 no record Cards 28 #5 bingo 2 31 musician's day *Drop-In-Center closed on Dny of retirees monthly meeting. figsumptions The writer assumes tr st since retirement these people have new needs. Retirement has different meaning for dif- ferent people. For some, it may mean the Opportunity to enjoy some purposeful or constructive activity that time did not permit when they were working. For others, it may mean boredom, dependency. and loneliness. Declining health and a decrease in income me} {es for a new pattern. The change in status and lack of social contacts creates a complex problem to the retired worker. If new social needs are not met at home. they mg y reach out into the community for them. Does the setting up of a day center help to meet these needs? Day centers have been mushrooming across the country since 19h4 when the Hodson Center1 in New York City was organized. The organization of the Dropnln-Center in Lansing has been the first attempt by a group to offer any day time leisure activities to the aging population of Lansing. lflarry A. Levine. IICommunity Program for the Elderly.” The finnale of the AmeriCnn cedem f Political 3nd Social Science. Vol. 279 (January, 19525.'%3 . HQPTER II C) PIETCRICAL PACKG-CUND AND CURRENT CPINICM Society has a resnonsibility to our aged porulntion. Our social institutions were adapted to e storter life span, and the different needs of an earlier ere. With the pnsein of the ”three generation” family, society has no ndequnte solution for the present problems of the ared who have deV- sloped new values, needs. and problems.1 The two factors which underlie the problems of the aged from the standpoint of society and of individual families ere: [l] the increase in the relative number of old peep e. and [2] social changes in ways of living end working that beer on self-support in old age. The imyrovement of medical services, a declining birth rate, and the curbing of immigration have made for a proporu tionnte increase of the older are group. In 1900 only four per cent of the porulation were sixty-five or over. conrered 1 i Harry A. Levfne, ”Community Prorram for the hiderly.” The Agnels of the AmeriCen fleedem of Political and Social Science, Vol. 279 (January, 5‘ , 1 h. zJohn J. Carson and John W. McConnell. icononic Needs 3;,Older Peogle (New York: Twentieth Century Fund, 1950 , P. o 6 with eight per cent in 1950, and an estimated fifteen per cent in 1980.1 letirement is mainly a product of industrialization. It has resulted in vast changes in our social order.2 The term 'retireoent" is used by the writer to mean a complete separation from the worker's principal occupation or gainful employment. The term would apply to women who have retired from gainful emrloyment as well as to homemakers whose children have matured and left home. Retirement can result in many serious individual problems. The emphasis in this study will be on the change in social contacts. Companionship. creative activity, and the use of leisure time for social betterment is as important as the satisfaction of physical needs. Many studies have been made in the field of gerontology relating to the "new leisure class."u 'One of the conclusions that was made from the study made in a trailer park in Melbourne. Florida, was that hobbies recommended to a person Jerome Ksplan,‘§.8noiel Program for Clfier People (Minneaoolis, Ninnesots: Lund Press, Inc., 19535. p. h. 20 ark -ibbits, "Retirement Problems in American Society." ;jorican Journal g; :OClOlOTY, January, 195%, p.301. Jerome Knolnn, on. cit., p. 7. L}, L. C. Hichelon. ”The New Leisure Class," American Journal g£_%ocio1® V, January, 195%, p. 371. 7 during his working years will not necessarily facilitate his adjustment to retirement. They may help a person relax from his Work, but they may not contribute to adjustment. The wide range of planned activities in this community m kes it possible for differenttypes of people to find interesting activities uhi ch furnishes sat isfyi n.g substitution for work. Then an indiviml 11 retires his social patterns usually change. "9! friend and a new variety of interests may be substituted for his WolL. He may develop a new routine of leIS*n e to con; ensate for the lacL of accustomed routine in ennloynent. Wis Job structured his day for him, but now he , ‘ 1 ‘ H V ., may ceJelop a new and more lelzurely routine. The need for sets and hobbies. hsny people are unable to change their patterns as ne 1 as others. The lack of replacements for ear: ier sources of sec ial contacts and companionship is the major problem of retired persons. Retirees who lack conconionship make exces- sive demands on their children. feel lies, case worners, and 3 physicians. . Havighuret, "Flexibility and the flocial ,.ired," Prerics“ Journol. of Sociolo*y. January, 3 .. Clark Tiooitts, 'Retirement Problems in American Societyg“ American Journal 22.330101023. LIX (January, 195“)' p. 307. 8 Meny public and priVnte community agencies are eXperi- mentins with clubs, camping, developi.g new interests, recreational facilities. and day centers for older people. The first any center was the Hodson Center in New York City developed by the Department of felfore. The idea of the . . . l centers has spread to England, Cannes, Frence, one Australia. The centers have adopted the knowledge and the pro- grams developed by the recreation field. The center with some form of club or membership organization has a unique opportunity for serving the leisure time needs of the aging in the community. It can serve them more adequatel‘ thanezen the club. It can help them spend their free time usefully end hopyily. It can serve as a focal point for oiscovering the needs of the individual and meeting them through the activities of the center or by referral to proper community resources, older peeple can have a feeling of belonging and an opoortunity for recognition. These centers may be located in recreation centers or Special buildings solely for the use of older people. Many of them are on a membership or club basis and others are used for free activit" with little structure in their rosram. P W — lHnrry A. Levine. “Community Program for the Elderly." on. Cit., p. 159. 9 Arthur Williams. 399??“ ion :9? the going (New York: ‘- {1 Association Press, 1953), p. 132 9 Many centers are open from late morning to late evening for five days a week. Special events are frequently held in the evening.1 Community day centers for older people need to be developed to promote: 1. The social and emotional adjustment of the olfier person by makinn it possible for him to find companionship and create an environment that is favorable to his eXpension; 2. The rehabilitation of personal effeciency by making it possible for the older person to make the maximum use of the capacities least impaired; and 3. Community usefulness by creating a feeling of adequacy and accomplishment through on activity program. The center uses the “group" to support and strengthen the infiividual. The group motivates him to develop new interests, new goals. and a new social role. The group can snd does modify certain attitudes and habits in effective participation. The group can substitute for loss of old associates, old friends, and loss of one'e family.3 "Acceptance, recognition, attention, relationship make for a steady recovery from fear, loneliness, and frus- tration.‘u 1"Harry A. Levine, "Community Pronran for the Eloerly." on. Cit.' p. 169. Bxhifi. )4. 10 Mental health seems to be related to companionship, social contacts, and creative activity. The costs of main- taining mental institutions have become insurmountable which makes it necessary to use preventive measures. The Reason Community Center in New York City has shown its effectiveness in mental health in its five year report that not a single committnent to a psychiatric hospital was made from its membership.1 Medical costs for older people are very high. Many visits to clinics and physicians are exoressions for attention and reassurance. The following examples Will show a relation- ship between medical costs and recreational activity. An eighty-four year old woman stepped coins to the clinic after she became interested in the activities of a senior nee club, and a sixty-seven year old bedridoen woman not out or bed to attend club meetings.2 In order to noin a perspective on progress, thexsriter studied the reports of numerous centers in the United States and Cannde. The main areas of activities include recreation, counseling, and education for the "senior citizens.” Nany were identical in their program but different in administration. Jerome Kaolin, op, cit., p. 12. 2 Ibid. . D. 110 ll In California one of the most outstanding senior centers is in ten Francisco, which is uniquely administered by American Women's Voluntary Services, Recreation and Park Commission, Community Chest, and the Adult Education Depart- ment. It is a community program which grew out of careful planning and widespread public interest. since l9h8 this prosram has develcned under the guidance of a trained director and experienced counselor. By October, 1953 the center had three branches.1 California has other centers which have attracted widespread interest. In October, 1955, Los Angeles opened a Senior Citizen Service Center under a mandate from the County Board of tunervisors. This center was established primarily as a counseling, information, and referral service. The staff consists of counselors, administrative, and clerical Workers.2 The Hospitality House in Huntington Beach is maintained by the Recreation Department and is staffed by a paid director, five arts and crafts teachers, and a port-time IEVa Hence, ”nan Francisco Senior Center," Community, Vol. 29, KO. 2 (October, 1953). P. 26. 2 U.S., Departhnt of Health, Education, and Welfare, gains, No. 22, March, 1956, p. l. 12 1 1 1 paid lecturer. I'Little House” located in Menlo Pare is sponsored by a volunteer organization which encourages com- munity participation.2 Philadelphia has a day center Sponsored by the Friend's Neirhborhood Guild and the Community Chest. A paid director is dependent on the various volunteer groups and individuals to carry on the leisure time programs for the older men and 3 women. The 'Hagon Wheel” day center in Syracuse. New York is administered by the Corinthian Foundation. Council of Social Agencies, Council on flying. Junior League. and the City Recreation Department. Since the employment of a paid director. the members themselves have participated in the program planning. committee work. and contributed to the financial support of the center. The proeram in the proposed Chicago day center has focused on counseling services for the emotionally ill and senile persons and coordinating of community services in the 5 metropolitan area. Arthur Williams, on. cit., p. 179. Ibié., p. 180. UMP-J 151d., p. 171. Corinthian Foundation. Inc.. eaeon wheel, Annual fig: 1955 (Syracuse, New York: Corinthian Foundation. Inc.. p l *0 10 :- iLetter from Mrs. Helen Laue of the #elfare Council of Metropolitan Chicaeo. dated November 4. 1955, on the proposed day center for ChiCaJo. Illinois. This proposal Was approved by the Board of Directors on November 16, 1955. H m In Hennepin County, Jinnesoolis, Finn sots area, it was interesting to note tn at the erp’ojmrnt of a :roup ork consultant for senior citizens in 1950 stimulated a community wide progran. Two years after the consultant was employed a day center was established. In Michigan the six centers located in Detroit differ somewhat in emphasis and program and are sponsored by various groups. Three of these are Sponsored by the United Automobile Workers [hereafter known as U.A.W.J. They are providing a satisfying substitute for the loss of the work day. The com- mittees are concerned with recreation and education for its members. The full time protram director has been trained in group work and recreation.2 The Junior League Senior Center in Detroit has changed from its original emphasis of recreation to include profes- sional counseline and a sheltered workshop. The director is the only paid staff person. Volunteers from the membership of Junior League are used extensively in this project. m __,_ '1 ‘Jerome Kaplsn. op, cit.. p. 15. 2 ., w . Report of U.A. . detired Jorker's Proersn in Petroit area. from file of Oscar Wade. C.I.O. Staff Representative of United Community Chest and Council of Greater Lansing Area. afleport frgm salter A. Crow, Member of Board of Dir- ctors and United Compittee Services of Detroit, Eichisnn. sted February 9, 1955. tO'the Executive Committee of the or nmittee on Ag inn. fugrb la The Brewster Center in Detroit is Sponsored by the . .. J Department of Parks and Recreation. Its emphasis is on recreation.1 The hartin Kundig Center is sponsored by the Arch- diocese Development Wund of Catholic Charities and financed by the Martin Kundig Guild and the United Foundation of Detroit. The Center is primarily for the purpose of counseling on morale _roblens, housing, diet. medical. and legal aid and recreation is secondary. This is an unique eXperiment attempting to resolve the many problems of unattached older people in a declining downtown ares. ‘The National C.I.O. Community Eervices Committee selected Lansing, Michigan as a typical industrial city for tudy of problems of retirement. They were interested in develcping a pilot program for retired workers in cooperation with the community. A national representative of the leor Participation Department or the United Community Chests and Councils of America met with th. Sub-Committee on Retirees of the local 0.1.0. Community Services Committee on October 19. less to discuss plans for the establishment of a Drop-In—Center and along with this was a plan for a pre-retirement and retire- ment counseling program, and monthly meetings of retired WOPkePSO 15 The local 0.1.0. committee met with the Mayor's Com- mittee to eXplain the proposed plan for retired workers on October 26, 1954. From October. 1954 to Kerch, 1955 a series of meetings were held with other community representatives and with the local C.I.0. Community Services Committee to promote community interest in the proposed plan for the Drop- In-Center. The plans for the Center were implemented by the 0.1.0. Community Services Committee and it Opened on March 23, 1955. The Center was publicized in the Labor News and at union meetings. The physical facilities were provided by the Local 650 U.A.w.-—C.I.0. and equipment was donated by local merchants, individuals, and organizations. The Center is operated on a four hour day, five days a week. The attend- ance has been gradually increasing. The proeram is planned on a monthly basis by a sub-committee of the 0.1.0. Community Services Committee. Volunteer committees implement the pro- gram and arrange for the refreshments. The Center is financed by the 0.1.0. Union.1 On December 13, 1955 a request was made to the United Community Chest of Lansing for help in financing of a paid director for a trial period of ninetyciays by the 0.1.0. Com- munity Services Committee. As or April 15. 1956 there has A; —L lVinutes of the Lansing 0.1.0. Community Services Com- mittee from October 19. 195% throueh July 27. 1955. 16 been no reply to this request. HoweVer, the United Community Chest have been studying the request and on February 9. 1956 me do a sums dry of their findings.1 The C. 1.0. and its Com- munity Services Committee in their request for a full—time director stated that the feeling was that the Center had reached a plateau as to nttendar .ce and interest. Thus. it appears that there are many varied patterns in the pro; rare and Sponsorships of day centers for older peonle. Research Available The writer was able to locate only one recently pub- lished research project eValuoting the program of such centers.3 This research was done by graduate students of Syracuse University in four day centers for older people, IOCated in Syracuse, New York. Some revelsnt facts were re- commended as a result of this study. The center offers a place for making new friends. It gives older people an oppor- tunity for regular programs as a substitute for the regularity 13unnnry of Findings by the United Community Chest and Council of Greater Lansing, Michigan, February 9, 1956. [See Appendix.] ‘Letter from Lansing 0.1.0. Council~-Comnunity iervices Committee, dated December 13. 1955. to Mr. Henry Grouse, President, United Community Chest and Council, Lansing. Mich. ggeederis Guide to Periodical Liter ture, Library Cstaloe, Author'“ C't oloz, Journal of Gersn olo_y, Geriatics Journnl, ne Aqln {Bull etin. and the BmeiCfln Fecreaticn Associwtion were eXamined ;y the sriter. 17 of Job requirements. It provides them a chance to feel im- portant and useful. It hvl‘s them to enjoy a fuller life sepecislly those Who hnve physics: lim tstions. The centers provide an onrortunity for the members to talk over problems and make better use of appropriate oonnunity resources. The center teaches new skills and new knowledge which add to fun and sood fellowship.1 This chapter points out the progress that has been made across the country. In some areas many problems of the aged are getting recognition by the conmunity and efforts are being made to improve the situations. 1 . Corinthian Founention. Inc.. op. cit., p. l. CRnFTfifl III manger}; mm Psi-Cg; mm. ‘23 The writer became interested in the problems of the aged, and realized the lack of aocial service resources for the older population while Coin: field work in a Lunfiinn vocial agency in 195a. A friendly visitor prowram in cooper- atian With n volunteer group had been or? nixed by the ”P139? in th, anrina of 1954. Later, the writar made a stuéy of organir~d services for the ufltd which was about the tins that the 0.1.0. Brnw- In-Centfir was bein: established. This rrnzrnm became 0f intersat to the writer but it was nnt until several months later that the Center was selected for a research project. However. it was about this time that the writer decided to do a project in the field at gerontology. The writer attendefi a maeting of the Vnyar‘e Comrittee on AWing gnd interviewed the Executive iecretary of the United Community Chflat and the fixecutive pecretgry of the Cnnwunity Services Council whiin exploring for a particular area for a research project. Many other prominent citizens were inter- viewed befare the writer ride a decision whicn aspect would be ctudied. The C,I.C. Dron—In-Center Wufl chafien and per- misainnvwas granted by the 8.1.0. Gncmunity Services Cnmnittee with thwir fullrat cooperatinn. 18 19 The questionnaire1 for the study of twenty-two perti- cipsnts in the Lansing 0.1.0. Drop-In-Center was prepared by the writer. The information for the construction of the question- 2 was compiled from other questionnaires and literature nsire relating to this subject. The questionnaire was used for interviewing the twenty- we rerticirants in the study. The 0.1.0. representative on the United Community Chest and Council staff explained to the participants of the Drop-In-Center at a luncheon meeting on February 23. 1956 the purpose of the study.‘ He stated that the community is interested in the Center and plans are in the offing for im- provements. He asked if there were any questions or objections to the study. There were no objections or questions. He then introduced the writer as a graduate student at Michigan State University. one who has worked with older peonle in a social agency. and one who is interested in services for older people. 1868 Anpendix A for questionnaire. 2Ernest w. Burgess, Ruth 8. Csvsn. and Robert J. Havighurst. Your Activities and Attitudes (Chic :0: Science Research Associates,l9E8). Esseim; Jshods. et 91., Research Vethnds in docinl Relations (New York: Dryden Press. 1951,, Vol. I. Chapter 3; V01. T1, Chapter 12. _ Pauline V. Youns, fic‘entifi§_§pcisl Survex and Research (New York: Prentice-ha 1. Inc.. 1939). Chapter X. r713. EEO-ELLB. 20 The triter described the purpose and slat was needed in the study. The participants had an opportunity to ask questions. One of the participants asked the writer if there was to be or ticism of their program. The writer had an opportunity to clarify this by interpreting to them that the participants of the study would be the only ones expressing their ideas about the Center. The subjects were selected from theciaily attendance register. The writer took every fifth person, starting with February 1. 1956. In order to get twenty-two individuals it was necessary to include the February eighth attendance} Two people were used to pre-test the questionnaire. Minor changes had to be made in the questionnaire after the pre-testing. The personal interviews were conducted betueen February 23. 1956 and April 21. 1956. Each interview took about one hour. Most of these interviews were done at the Center. The writer found it necessary to do four interviews in the homes of the participants. One man. who had not been at the Center regularly. in recent months was interviewed in his home by the writer. During the interview he explained that he was getting married within two hours and that he had not been going to the Center regularly as he had been busy “courting.” None of the participants objecteito being interviewed. In fact. there seemed to be a considerable enthusiasm and 1A decision Was made before the Study to interview twenty-two participants. 1 sreet nnénm thv mroup. fiwne n! 2P3 pqople whn were inter- :1 1? via-wed mad-a azngrestinr-a ‘in UK? 233‘} te‘: al‘n‘zt the? Sarita-r. The q- miter is'afi given capacz.g_;1 fln'v'itamnrzsto pag‘f‘31CZ'fat8 in their brorrnru. name of which were accepted. CHAPTER IV 1223;331:153on AND inset-SIB CF DAT-"x In order to have a better understanding or the parti- cipants of the Lansing C.I.O. Drop-In—Center. we need to know some general characteristics of the population. It is significant to note in Table 2 that one-half of the group are from sixty-five through sixty-nine years of age. The men predominated in this group. There are two women in the group under sixty-five years of age who attend the Center. There are about an equal number of men and women in the age range from seventy years through eighty years. r3 he majority of the people are married, as shown in Table 2. About three-fourths of this group are men. In the Widowed group the women compose about five-sevenths of it. The separation and divorce group are in the minority and there are no significant factors for either sex. About two-thirds of the group rate their health as either goon or excellent. Hen compose the larger portion as shown in Table 2. The people in the fair or poor group had such ailments as heart, muscular oisorders, and arthritis. Two of the men mentioned that they wished that their wives 23 TABLE 2 CHARACTtRliTICS OF SAMPLE GROUP OF PKRTICIPKNTS AT DROP-INrcgfiTER, FEBRUARY. 1956 M— WW Participants Total Men r Women Total 22 12 10 Age Under 65 years 2 0 2 65-69 years 11 7 t 70 years and up 9 5 b Marital Statue Married 12 9 3 Widowed 7 2 5 Divorced 2 l l Separated l 0 1 Health Excellent h 2 2 Good 10 6 A Fair 7 3 4 Poor 1 l 0 , Education '” Under 6th grade # 2 2 6th thru 9th 12 8 4 9th and up 6 2 h Religion Protestant 18 10 8 Catholic 2 0 2 None 2 2 0 2% were in better health so that they could attend the Center. Other remarks were: ”I always liked to read but my eyes won't let me." "I can't be on my feet much." "I feel better than I have for years.I Completion of high school education was not the universal eXperience for the people of this generation as for the present day generation. Many attended small schools which were ungraded. Over one-half of them had eighth grade education, as shown in Table 2, and of this group one-third were men. Two-thirds of the women had training only through the ninth grade. Comments such as this were made: "I had to so to work and help suprort my family." Religion does not seem to play a very important part in the lives of this study nroup. About oneathird of the group attend services less than once a month; about one- fourth of the group never attend church services. As shown in Table 2 almost nine-tenths of the group era of the Protestant religion. There is about an equal number of men and women in this group. Housing Aporoximately one-third of the older people have occupied their houses for fifteen years or more. Of these one man occupied his home for forty-three years. All this group own their homes,eis shown in Table 3. TAPLE 3 ENGTH OF TIME IN PCFSENT RBjIDENCE Length of Time Total Own Home Apartment Room Total 22 ’1u 6 2 Under 5 years 8 l 5 2 5 thru 9 years 3 3 o o 10 thru lb years b 3 l O 15 years and over 7 7 O O About one-fourth of this group lived in their residences for less than five years. The greater number of this group live in apartment houses. About two-thirds of the people have lived in their own homes five years and over. The men constitute ten of them. None of the group espressed a fiesire to change to other housing. Housing was not a problem to this group. Table A shows that about one-half of these people live with either their husband or Wife. Five out of six of them live in their own home. The people in apartments are divided equally between those livinh with husband or wife. friend, and by themselves. One man who lives in a room in the home or a friend owns his home in a rural section. He made the comment: ”It's too lonesome out there in the winter time," 26 "Those older people rho were married tended more than those who were widowed or single to own their homes.” TABLE b LIVING mammograms WW Type of ‘ _ V Living with Whom Residence Total Husband or Wife Friend Daughter Alone Total 22 12 h 2 h Own Home 14 10 1 l 2 Apartment 6 2 2 O 2 Room 2 O 1 1 0 All of the married peeple who owned their homes end income from three sources; Old Age and Survivors Insurance, [hereinafter known as O.A.S.I.], and property income. Table 5 reveals that men constitute the total group. In this group one man has additional income from his wife's wages. In the grouping of pension and O.A.3.I. there are five people. Of these three are men and two are women, whose husbands' have this source of income. lwooérow a. Hunter and Helen Maurice. Older People Tell Their ttorx (inn Arbor, Michinen: University of Rich- igan, institute of Human Adjustment, 1953). p. “0. TABLE 5 SCURCE CF INCCVE BY sex, FEBRUARY, 1956 u —r—- Bource of Income Total Men ‘ Women w Total 22 12 10 Pension, O.A.3.I.1 and Other Income 9 9 O Pension--O.A.5.I. 5 3 2 C.A.3,I.--Cther ~ Income 3 O 3 O.A.S.I.--O.A.A.2 3 o 3 O.A.A. only 2 G 2 lOld-Ane one Survivors Insurance 201d Age Assistance Grants Three women have income from 0.3.8.1. and other in- come. such as savings, business, and from people who board and room in their home. Thoee receiving income from 0.A.S.I. and Old Age Assistance Grants were women. Two of these worked only for a short time under O.A.S.I.a:nd their benefits are small. The two recipients of Old Age Assistance Grants are women who were not eligible under t.e O.A.S.I. benefits because of the type of work that they did. One of these women,, with tears in her eyes, commented: ”I Can't work anymore because of my health and I can't meet my expenses." A) CD All of the men in the study group are retired. They had been employed in the automotive industry in Lansing. Michigan. They held various types of jobs. Some‘vere tool and die makers, machinists, press Operators, a sheet metal worker. and others were in unskilled work. Three of the retired men are still doins part-time work. These three are not employed by the automotive industry; one is s watchman. one is selling on a house to house basis, and one is doing sheet metal work. The women had more Varied types of employment during most of their adult life. The womentiid practical nursing and housekeeping outside the home. Two of the women never worked outside the home. Two did unskilled labor such as restaurant and laundry work. One woman was a comb Winder in a knitting mill and the other woman was a clerk in a do- partment store. None or the women was employed outside the home at the time or this study. One woman keeps boarders to supplement her income. One man who was in a skilled trade was interested in finding work. He felt that his eXperienoe and training would be Valuable to industry. He would be willing to vork for lower wanes. Retirenent In Roe 1, Table 6, one may note that there are nine of the twenty-two of the group who did not want to work any- more. Yet, when asked about their feelings toward retirement three of this group did not want to retire. The writer feels that these people may have grown to accept retirement, but at the time of retirement it was a difficult adjustment for them. Many in this group have been retired two or more years. The group that were retired by the employer did not want to retire. This group were all men. Host of them:fe1t that they could do the work as well as the younger men. Health and lack of work opportunities were the main reasons given by the women for retirement. One-half of group in Column 3. Table 6 did not want to retire and the majority were those that were retired by the employer. There were about one-fourth of the group who wanted to retire [Column 2]. and the majority of these did not want to Work any more. Three of the group [Column 4] did not think much about retiring, mainly, because they seemed to have a psychological block on the subject. They had no plane and did not know what they would do with their time. One woman, whose husband has retired, complained about her inability to get her housework done. She Said. ”He site around the house and reads all the time. I am glad when he leaves the houee for a while.“ 3O A 41 r o o w H W o a asap fl pawn Muck e on heuukm on , o o w H _v H N wad W. tune: doggonu ‘ . uncodnnmz any 0 r N W o , o N Muox undh w no: :mo any a o + H , o n mafia»: ho _ oanaomn Hue: _ fl. 00: cwo Amy 0 . o x m . o m _ hohoaoao f : m an cupdpom Amy 0 V H A M W m toafiw w v ‘ , +7 00: van AHV N 4* n W“ HH fi‘ 0 «N r Hmpos . E W a: .k # 5 A ! E 3 ,, 382m nuflaom up pd #5094 #, endpom on onfipwm Haney j coaaoem wonaaom ‘.unwsona £052 oozAcha3.woz can: op cwwcmm fl ‘1. unoaopapmm caaaoe owspdpp« ,4; i A filfl L1 E J L HI {filll4i tr ll rrr [NIH 92mmmszmm mm¢moa mampaaaq.wm .azmzmmwpmm mom mzcm4mm m mgm¢a 31 As a whole. the majority of the groupxdid not want to retire. Fourteen of the group had no plans follOWing re- tirement. For those that did, the reasons were mainly financial. The men were more concerned about the financial aspects than the women. The two who mentioned plans other than financial had particular hobbies and interests to spend their time. Many of them thought about what they would do. but could find no answer. Familz and Eriends float of the men and women indicated close relation- ships with their friends. Most of them have made new friends at the Center. One man said that he had no friends. His com- ment was: "People are only your friends when you can help them." One woman who comes to the Center two or three times a week said that she had only one friend. This womancioee not participate in any of the Center activities. but enjoys watching the others. One woman stated that most of her close friends have either died or moved away but she had made many new friends at the Center. There were seventeen people out of the twenty-two participants who had children. Most of them see their children every week, and sometimes oftener. One woman who has a daughter and two sons never sees her sons. Her comment about this use: “They are afraid that they will have to support me." Two of the participants have step-children and '? {k 1 they see them regularly nlthou h not as often as the ones who have,nutural children. It is sirnificant to note that meet of the partici- pnnts have a close relationship with their famil and friends. "he writer Wondered if most of their friends were those at the Center. Only two pearls indicated that they had friends outside the Center. Cornunitilfiervices As noted in ?able 7 almost one-half of t.e group have not received services from any local social ageno‘. here than flalf of this group are men. The major service received was from the tnited States Employment Service. The ten were referred to this service for unemployment benefits during a ~iny off" period. The women made use of the United States Employment jervice to obtain employment. The Inehnm County Chest Hospital service was used only by the women. Their purroee was to receive an x-ray lung ‘ examination. services from the Inqhnm County Bureau of tocial Aid1 were used by five women. This is the only source of income for two of the five women. 1The In ham County Bureau of *ooiol Aid has Jurisiiction over the 016 are Assistance Grants. CGNTACTS WITH OTHLR COWKUNITY SERVICES, BY 33X . 1 Community nacnciea Total Men Women number of Indivifiuals 22 12 10 Tctull 27 6 21 Unitcd gtnten Efiplcy- ment Eervice 8 4 u Innham County Chest chpitnl a o a Old Age Assistance Grants 5 O 5 Department of Social ficlfare h 0 b Young Women's Christian Association 3 O 3 Circuit Court 2 l 1 Visiting NurFe 1 l 0 None 10 7 3 1* man contacts were mentioned more thantance. Four women have received services from the Inflnam County Derartmcnt of fiocinl Welfare which administers the Public Aasietanoc Program in the Lansing area. None of the participants were receiving services from this agency at the time of the stufiy. 34 Three women have participated in the Young women's Christian Association activitiwe althourh they hqve not been active members. Services from the In »1 1cm County Ci rcuit (nu; 1; were received by one man and one woman. The purpose and service one Circuit Court, ” . . . . and 1n n other write of general equity Jurisdiction having authority in divorce action . . . ."l The services of the Visiting Nurses Association was ueed by one man.2 Most of the community services shown in Table 7 were used by the women mainly in the public as eeietance sections. The women tend to have lee as financial security than the men. Most of the peopl e were not aware of the services that the community offers. Three men mentioned that they knew about some of the agencies by reading about them in the local fierticipation 1! Cr 2 etione Table 8 reVeals a significant point in that women seem more active in organ zetions than men. The women are Injhnm iounty Council of “00111 Welfare. iociel fier- vice Resourcee of Inrhnm County, VichiI:n (Len s‘nI, “ichivln: A Red Feather ‘m-r nice of the Ignited C30:1:umity<)hest, .713;{,1953)r,.o. 2. . The Grenter Lane 1I Visitir7 “ure1s fe=.oci1tion provides skilled nursinn C1re in the ho7e on an holzrly basis and assists ”11th health problets. 35 more interested in.the social activities. These are mainly cord clubs. Approximately one-half of the men are labor union members who are eligible to vote in meir union. None of the women are members of a labor union. TABLE 8 PARTICIPATION IN ORGAN ZATIONS. BY sex w I: :—.~—::. 1 mm“ 3:“ W t ”II-It: r if Organizations Total Men Women Total uol 17 23 .J H meuow Social Clubs 1 Union Lodges Townsend Club Hobby Club Church Groups Veterans' Organizations H N V‘QVVN C) DJLQP‘anhJ M A. 151me organizations were mentioned more than once. The fraternal orders in which eeven.of the partici- pants are members are: Independent Order of Foresters. Benevolent Rebekohe. Free and Accepted Masons, Fraternal Order of 391196, and the Loyal Crder of Moose. None of the men hold office in the fraternal orders or attend meetings regularly. One woman is chairmen of a committee and is active in all activities of the Rebekah Lodge. The Townsend Club has regular meetings every week. This club is mainly a social organization. They have bo- hemian dinners and card parties; women predominate this 55 mu 9. The hobby groups include camera, old coin, and stamp clubs. The men showed more interest in this area. The church groups and Veterans' Organizations were in the minority. The Veteran's group is the Women's Relief Corp which is an auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic. The woman who is a member of this group is the chaplain and attenfis the meetings regularly. In regard to attendance at meetings the women attend from one to eight meetings a nontheehile most of the men attend one to two meetings a month. One man attends five meetings a month. Three men neVer attend meetings; three women attend more than four meetings a month. Attendance From Tobie 9 one may note that the people who started coming to the center when it was first opened are still quite reqular in attendance. About one-third of this group have come regularly since the center opened. The other two-thirds come at least every week and sometimes two or three times a week. 1 Personal interview with Mrs. Pearl Drew, President, Local Yonen's Relief Corp., Kay 7. 1956. TY”£ a? ATTExDanca, MARCH--DECEHB;R, 1955 W Type of Attendance Total March-June July-December Total 22 lb 8 Daily 9 5 - 4 Less than daily 13 9 4 fittitufiee About one-half of the study group indicated that they are “harry.' women constitute almost one-half of this group while men predominated in the "very happy” group. There are four men in the “average” group and none or the women men- tioned this area. There were an equal number of men and women in the “lonely“ section. TaELS lO ATTITUDE TCHARD SELF BY TYPE CF ATTEflDANCE z: i _l fi__ 7 ==:;,__. Attendance 1 Total Feels Very Feels Feels Feels Happy Happy Average Lonely Total 22 4 10 h a Daily 9 1 7 0 1 Less than Daily 13 3 3 4 3 38 In comparing the attendance by their attitude toward themselves, it is important to note that the people who were “happy” attended the Center daily [Table 103. The ones that stated they were "average" and “lonely" came less often. As shown in Table 11 the people who rated themselves 'happy' enjoyed the Center very much and predominated this group. All the individuals who said that they were “very hapry' enjoy the Center very much. Three people who were “lonely” and “average“ were indifferent to the Center. One person who feels “lonely" enjoyed the Center very much. TABLE 11 ATTITUDE TOWARD SELF BI ATTITUDE TOWARD CENTER Attitude Toward *Fsels Very Feels ; reels Feels Center Total happy ‘ Happy ' Average _ Lonely Total 22 u 10 u t a i I H Enjoys r i r Very Much lb W k 7 } 2 l Enjoys Moderately 5 0 3 0 2 Enjoys In- differentlyl 3 o o .t 2 1 In the analysis of their attitude by regular attend- ance. it is significant to note that the participants who enjoy the Center very much attend daily [Table 12]. Even 39 those who do not attend the center daily were in the majority in the claseificetion "enjoys very much.“ host of the people who do not attend daily some to the Center two to three times a week. The ones who feel "lonely" come usually about once a month, yet one man wh feels “lonely“ comes daily. His comment about this was: ”I have felt lonely ever since the death of my wife eight years axe." This man retired three years ago because of his health. He sold his home during the summer of 1955 and'rnru chased a smaller home in a new neighborhood. He has not become acquainted with any of his neighbors and misses his old neighborhood. He had one son who holds an executive position in an Eastern state. He sees him about once a year. This man is interested in creative and recreational activities and is willing to Rive services to the community. TABLE 1 2 ATTITUDE TowARD CENTER, BY TYPE OF A TENDANCE m * JWW Type of Enjoys Enjoys Enjoys Attendance Total Very Much Moderately Indifferently Total 22 1b 5 3 Baily 9 8 1 0 Less than Daily 13 6 h 3 The men 'no claims that he has no friends rates him- self as "average." HoveVer, he attends the Center two or 1? 'rom personal interview with retiree. Lg three times a week and sometimes oftener. Hie feelings toward the Center are indifferent. The women who said that she has one friend rates hereelf as “happy.“ She enjoys the Center very much and attends almoet everyciay. She does not participate in any of the activities, but enjoys watching the people. Another Woman who feels Ilonely” is indifferent to the Center. She attends the Center once a month. She would like to come more often but she has no transportation. She has learned how to play cards since coming to the center. However, she has made new frience at the Center and has en- joyed that very much. :rnnenortntion Table 13 reveals that more than half of the people first Came to the Center in their own car and cane alone. About one-fourth of the group walked to the center either alone or with a friend or relative. About one-eighth came tn the Center by city bus. The majority in thie group came with a friend. the women who came with a friend are the same women who share apartments. None of the men came with either a friend or a relative. One man came with his wife and the rect of the men came alone. Only two women came alone. b1 TABLE 13 TRAN SPO RT n‘I‘ION mum-rem ; N73 _...... i... u .— With Whom 1 Total ‘F Own Car ‘ walk U Other Transportation Total 22 12 6 h Alone 13 10 2 1 Friend 5 0 2 3 Relative u i 2 I 2 O Referr More than half of the group heard about the Center through the Labor Union. One-fourth learned about the Center from either friends or relatives. Less than one-eighth of the group were introduced to the Center through the Sunset Club which is an organization sponsored for'older peeplo by the Volunteers of America. A small minority read about the Center in the “Labor News“ a publication issued by the Labor Union. No one seemed to read about it in the local newspaper, or had heard about it on radio and television programs. Leieure Iine Activities. More than three-fourths of the participants have all day to devote to leisure time activities. One man said: 'I have twenty-nine hours a day." Less than one-fourth of them have a half a day for leisure time. Of this nrouc two-thirds of them are women who 1&2 have housework to do. One man had a few hours a day as he spent part of the day doing part-time work. Table 1“ is a significant table on interests and activities. The indicated interest grouping shows that com- panionship. arts and crafts, and fishing are those most often mentioned. Repair work around the home, stamp and coin col- lecting, hunting, gardening, and ecucation are next. Two peeple indicated that they had no particular interests. The hobby section indicates some of the activities that they do outside the Center. Three of them mention the Drop—In-Center as their hobby. Cards were mentioned the most in this group and that is one of the main activities at the Center. Other significant activities in this section are fishing, gardening, listening to radio and television. reading, arts and crafts, and being a spectator at sports. The major leisure time activities seem to overlap with the Center's activities in many cases especially in card playing. The significant activities such as: attending meetings, playing cards, listening to the radio, reading. and watching television. All of the activities may be classified as passive recreation. The minority grouping would be repair work around the house, sewing or crocheting, stamp and coin collecting. Card playing and attending meetings might be the only activities which would be in company with other people. Therefore, very few of the people have social 53 nH Ag N o o .oHpox o o o H anon omuoq o mH N H oHuum o» nouuHH o n o o maHans nouuua o H H N mgHansm o N o o #hckoufiom o o H o .uonpo mcHaHom o J N m m muHcouugu n o o 0 ocean o N n n maHnuHu o H o o SHE; o m o N coHumozcm o w n H noncooccHnnoha H o H H wcHoncn o o a H 2:698 ma H a w anucchmHEoo ow 3.. n o 3.26 nH o o o omaHm o oH H o umchoom ucmua< o w a a .395 new 3.2 noH noH an on Haves .oHaHpHHOH .oHquHuoa .oanom uuuououaH uoHaHuHaoH .Houcoo : 9:523 63 cogs“ nun—6%! mHzHHHOHamHm no mMHmmcm amH .mMHaHpHau< .memmmmazH an mqm vomoao gob mswam awe: mmw>of II. mvamo Ampn002cHnmonpl opscaz ummq II. mmoppaesoo Hafill 4m mm. mm 3 om mammsw wedge» Hwaowmm mmfiwo gmzpo can m.pa£2 ouamm noon mafiam .z.m ooua ham myopfima> mcawo ll ham scammSowfi hpnmm owcfim ll mofi>om m. 3 Wm fl. 3:. .w as 833.5 mima nag-pom wCaUmmm 0800 mummcfim 0800 hUODhA®>m “madmm Ohdmm wnfipfimfl> cam ammunumwm muonhno>m o>wumogmopm mcnao ll mnmaofimsg Add .noh how hpnwml. hwm azucwmao I. amounoo cawo _l 2 m m L. o HmQCOmgmm opnosm mandoccd mgmxomno mooppflasoo moHpH>Hpo< manoocfim no noEnHwno H¢p®£ow N? .m: H hpmspnom mamHmm N.H :..: 0032.24 8“: ”250m 230.. m >H AHme omo Haooqv undmuu >H mmomm pmohpm gopfim OAOH "cofipmooq mom ZOHB H a o 4 “$.29m mme 2H ZHOh 02¢ mmenmoqutmomQ mme oe ML>0 :0 @300 ' “:“Ifi|~‘ 61 APPENDIX 0 February 9, 1956 SWY OP FINDINGS CIO REQUEST FOR STAFF PERSON TO OPERATE DROP-IN-CENTER The Lansing 010 Council - Comnity Services Connittee on December 13, 1955 re- quested a grant of $500.00 from the Chest to enable the CIO Comittee to employ a full-time person to staff the CIO Drop-In-Center for Older Persons for a period of three months. The request indicated that the salary of the preposed staff member would be $300.00 per month. The difference between the Chest grant and the total cost would be forthcoming from a special grant from several of the larger (:10 Unions. In the minds of the Union members the three months would serve as a trial or demonstration period in order to enable the organization to determine if the Older Person program could be made sufficiently effective to warrant permanent continuation of the service or whether it should be discontinued altogether. ORGANIZATION OF THE DROP-IN-CEN'IER The Lansing 010 Drop-In-Center was organized in April 1955. The original idea was conceived by the national 010 Community Services Comittee and is an attemt on the part of the cm to develop programs to make life more enjoyable and meaningful for retired persons. Another phase of the program is to help people to prepare for retirement. ‘ Most of the larger calamities have organized programs for Older Persons, how- ever, relatively little has been done in the medium and smaller cities from any source. Lansing was selected as a typical city and the local 010 group agreed to see what could be done with such a program. The program as originally conceived has four stated objectives: (a) Pro-retirement counselling (b) Retired workers counselling (c) Monthly meeting of retired workers (d) Drap-In-Center Little has been done in item "a” and ”b" of the stated objectives.. Item "c" and ”d" have been carried out since the beginning of the program. The extent of the recreational phase of the program will be covered under another heading in this report. The 010 Comittee in developing the program worked veryclosely with other groups and organizations in the comnity. The Mayors‘ Committee on Aging was kept fully informed at all times of their plans and developments. A member of the CIO serves as a member of the Mayors' Comittee. As a result, the 010 along with other groups, has taken an active role in promoting the aims and objectives of the overall planning as conceived by the Mayors' Comittee. Page 2 .. Report on 010 Drop-In-Center In addition, the Drop-In-Center organizers worked very closely with the Con- tinuing Education Department at Michigan State University, seeking their ad- vice and consultation in the establishment of their program for older persons. The employment service was also consulted and as a result a staff person in the employment office has been assigned the task of working with older peOple to find employment for older persons where necessary. The 010 consul ted with existing agencies in the comnity and asked their assistance in giving leadership to the program. Several agencies have given occasional leadership through the sstablishnsnt of certain special programs from time to time. The City Recreation Department has made available several picnic tables and parking space to participants using the DrOp-In-Center. WHO USES MDROP-IN-CENTER The program is Open to all retired persons in the conmunity. There is no requirement that they must be Union members or former members of a Union. In actual practice the large majority of participants are former members of 010 and the AFL. The records show that the average daily participation at the Drop-In-Center is 25 persons. At the regular monthly meeting the average attendance has been between 100 to 125 persons. It is estimated that during each week 50 differ- ent persons would be served. For special events such as a Christmas party, the Center has had a high as 175 persons in attendance. THE PROGRAM At all times the Center provides opportunities for the following acti- vities: cards, checkers, television and lounge for informal discussion. The Center will soon have a Shuffle Board game and a pool table. At regular inter- vals, speakers are brought in to talk to participants on subjects of interest to them. Discussion groups, bingo and movies are other typical events made available. The Center is open 5 days a week from 11:00 A. H. to 3:00 P. M. Other programs such as hobby groups and other similar creative activities are hoped to be developed in the future. WISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION AND STAFF The program is presently administered by the 010 Council Commanity Services Comittee. This is a conmittee of 14 members and is cosmosed of official delegates from each of the local 010 Unions. Mr. Richard Kaiser of the Boo Local (UAW-C10 #650) is the present Chairman of the comittee. The program at the Center has been carried on largely through volunteer ser- vice. Several agencies have occasionally provided staff help for specific periods of time. In addition, Oscar Wade, 010 staff representative has given throughout the lifetime of the agency, as much of his time as possible in order to coordinate the work of the many volunteers. Page 3 .. . . Report of cm Drop-In-Center QONG RANGE OBJECTIVES OF THE CENTER Quite obviously it is the expectations of the sponsors of the Center that the program will grow and fill an important gap in the commity. From those close to the problem, there is no doubt that there is very little done for the older people. There is equally no doubt that many of our older persons have needs that are not being adequately met. The needs vary all the way from financial, health, and housing, to recreational activities to fill their long period of leisure time. The Drop-ln-Center is believed to be merely one phase of a total comnity effort to help meet the needs of a substantial group of our people -- our senior citizens. As expressed to the writer of this report, the CIO representatives are not par- ticularly interested in operating this program on a long term project. They view their program first of all, as a demonstration to prove the need, and secondly, as an attemt to do something rather than merely "talk-3 It is their expressed hape that a comnity agency or organization will take the program over and continue the service. In this respect the CIO officials express that their main interest is to see that the total needs of the continuity are met. PURPOSE O! m DEIDNSTRATION PERIOD AS REQUESTED BY TEE 010 The C10 Community Services Comittee, as previously reported, are request- ing a three month experimental period with a full-time paid staff member. It is their hope someone can be found at the monthly salary of $300.00. The sponsors state quite frankly, that the program has reached a plateau. Volun- teer leadership cannot continue to produce the program that is necessary to main- tain a dynamic program that will fully meet the needs of the retired people they serve. They emphasize that volunteer leadership cannot adequately develop long range plans. Without paid leadership it is impossible to coordinate the services of volunteers, and continuity is impossible with constantly changing volunteer leadership. It is the feeling of the Commity Services Comittee of the 610 that a 90-day demonstration period- is necessary to provide a framework within which a more expanded and varied program can be attenuated. Toward the end of this trial period, the results can be evaluated and future plans can then be made as to the need and value of the program for the future. There has been no expression as to the method of continued financing beyond the demonstration period. FINAIEBS: It is estimated that the total expenditures for the three month demonstra- tion period would cost $1,202.50. The Chest is requested to grant $500.00 to help toward this amount. The balance of the money will come from Unions; $280.26 would be secured from that part of the dues paid by 010 members set aside for recreational purposes. The balance would come from the general funds of several of the larger Locals. . n .— . o. . . .e n a a . n. . . n I . .A i . u. t . . . o . . . o- . , s . . .e , u . . s a . . u . s s- . . I . 4 ti. . . . s . u u 5 . . n V s. . A p e , a e a . .. . Illilil. ll Page 4 Raport of 010 DrOp-In-Center The financial statement on the next page is a report submitted to the Chest Office by the 010. It shows the estimated expenditures for September, October, and November of 1955. The report also estimates the expenditures for the three month trial period. It is felt that the estimate is understated. There is no allowance for Social Security, office supplies, postage and other such items. Perhaps these items are also considered as an additional service to be given by the local Unions having full-time office staff and budget to meet these items. EXPERIENCE IN OTEER CONNITIES As was previously stated, other than talk relatively little has been done in the area except in the larger city. As far as is known, no Michigan city Chest, other than Detroit, has allocated money for Drop-In-Centers. Saginaw Chest has allocated $3,000.00 for a home for the aged; Muskegon, $300.00 to the Cereatrics Council; and Bay City, $200.00 for the Women's Association of Charity. It is reported that the Maskegon group is considering asking for a drastically increased budget. Detroit has done more than any other Michigan comnity in the area of serving the aged. They have had an active comittee studying the problem of the aged for a period of ten years. This comnittee was quite similar to the Lansing Mayors' Comittee on Aging. On February 15, 1954 Detroit employed a full-time staff person to serve as a coordinator and planner of programs for the aged. This new staff is being financed from funds given by the McGregor Foundation. Funds are granted on a three year basis, decreasing each with the difference to be picked up from Torch Drive funds. At the end of this period the program will be entirely supported by funds raised in the annual Torch Drive. The following is a description of the DropoIn-Centers in Detroit: At the grewster Center a special club room is furnished for the comfort and recreation of older residents of the Public Housing Project which surrounds it. In addition to regular club meetings, the older people are free to come and go during the hours when the Center is open. A special feature here is the opportunity to mix with the children and youth, and they derive a great deal of pleasure from watching the games and sports of the children. This is sponsored by the Detroit Department of Parks and Recreation. The UAWBCIO Drop-In.Centers (3), are open 5 days a week. The Center at Local 154, which has been in operation longest, has a capacity daily attendance. It is very popular among retired union workers and obviously provides a satisfying substitute for the loss of the work day. It has a high degree of self-government and several commdttees are concerned‘with various aspects of some munity service for its members. A capable director gives imagina- tive leadership and supervision. They contribute to a monthly publication, “Sound Off", there are movies, lectures, games, par- ties. - . .. I . i I . . . . .1 l A .. . s . .. .. . i . u . . a . . . . . a . e . . . .. i. I. . a c . a. ..s a .o o I: . . . n s . y . . n n s s t .D . a . u . . . . . s . . . . . a I .. to .I. . t. n . y s n . I u n . .. . . . . a . . . . I a n . . o . n . . u . s n I I I I . . y c‘ . . u . Is . . . . I n 1 I a n, as . . u . . I v . s . c . . . a _ . I a . . . . u . I. , n n a u . . a .. I. a n a. . a . . u . . .. . .e . . , . .. I. . s .. . . . . e .o . . s a a. u u . . v v. I n . . . t I. .. . a n , . . I I. p a. I r l . \ . . . . . . e . . u . I . . o . . “.4 I ..l u v . a . . I . n x . : . . v t . n . . . I .. . a .u . o . I . ... . . . . a o . . u . I ... . q a . .. . I . l . . — . . . ... . . . . . . . . n i o s \ u e . . . . I s- . . .s . n y . u I . ’ . .I - II. . . . . . u . . u . I . a s . . a . . a .. . . . . a . .. . I . . a . s. . I y. . . e . . . V r I, . , . . . . . | . . I . .e . I .. , . . u . . e . a . . . 1 . I . I a. 4 . . . u . . , C . . J a ‘ a . .. . . . . . . e e‘ o e . . s .o . . u ., s . . . . . n . . u. . . . e a f s . u . an . a . I n n . . a . I: . a t a a . a .l . . . ... . . c. .. a use . e ..I . l . a I I a e. . . . .1 . u . . .. . . - v . a . . .. . . .. . . . . . u s . o u .. . a a . a 010 DROP-1N CtNTta - RtTIatt'e PaosaAN BUOCCT REQUEST ITEM INCOMt OLos LOCAL #652 FISHER LOCAL #602 ANALCANATto #72h REO LOCAL #650 SPECIAL UNION GRANT 1 ACTUAL - 1955 3 MONTHS 3 MONTHS SEPTEMBER 'OCTOBER Novensta TOTAL REQUEST 1 51K33*53 68 I 53.96 $153.27 I 15 .27 25 5.5 50 7.35 11. 25 10.50 12.13 33.33. 1.12 1.59 1.03 12.71 12.71 hoo.00 8;fl TOTAL TNCONt BEGIN..BANK BALANCt TOTAL FUNos COMMUNITY CHEST BALANCINC TOTAL 9%. ' ,DIssuastNtNTs: AsveoxINATt $ 91.18 1 9h.27 $ 9h.51 $280.26 $680.26 - - - - 3500.00 $ 91.n8 $ 93.27 $ 91.51 $280.26 $1,180.26 ENT $ 35.00 $.35.00 ;$ 35.00 $105.00 ~ $105000 FOOO 3.00 3.00 3.00 129.00 129.00 BINGO-PRIZES 2.00 2.00 2.00 15.00 15.00 BIRTHDAY CAKts .00 .00 .00 12.00 12.00 BIRTHDAY CAKts 5.00 5.00 5.00 15.00 15.00 DOOR PaIzts 3.50 3.50 3.50 10.50 10.50 NAPKINS, Cups, ETC. 3.33 3.33 3.31 10.00 10.00 Corset 2.00 2.00 2.00 6.00 6.00 SALAaIta - . - - 900.00 TOTAL 515auastNtNTs ENO BANK BALANCt BALANCING TOTAL -9:35, -6;5 -6.33 -2222h -22221 $ 91.18 $ 9h.27 $ 9h.51 $280.26 $1,180.26 . no a. . . c II . - , I ' .A I . _ I . ... .. . . - ' ' 0- - u - . .. - — . I . o o . . I a .0 .a I ... . ... - . . . I O I O . . - .c . .- . .I, , . - fi ‘ o Q. It‘- . 0‘ ’ . . . o O u u . o . - O . ‘. I A . v I I D . .- ..~ . . . ~ . .. L . - , . ..4... ... I I . B .. . .Q .... . _ -.-@0 ..—§ a- ... .. . ‘ -o u 1 I. _. . \_ . . '~ g. . . u- — . . Page 5 Report of 010 Drop-In Center The @nior League Senior Center began a little over a year ago in a small store on Mack Avenue, which proved inadequate after a few months. Its early emphasis was on recreation. It Offers a wide variety of opportunity for crafts, hobbies, gardening, library, games and dancing, movies, etc. It is now deveIOping its program to include professional counsell- ing and sheltered workshOp. A full time director is the only paid staff at present, with a great deal of work being done by the volunteers from the Junior League membership. The 104ng Center is a unique experiment, in attempting tO resolve the many problems Of unattached Older people in a declining downtown area. It is Open seven days a week. Its services include counselling, information and referral, a housing registry, a workshop and three meals a day for Old Age Assistance recipients at their expense. These occupy rooms in the neighborhood and would Otherwise be forced to eat inadequately. Recreation problems are incidental. The Older pe0p1e are responsible for many of the attractive fea- tures of the center. A retired carpenter helps with remodell- ing; a retired tailor supervised the making Of drapes and cur- tains and others take care of the indoor pool and gardening. Outside comnity groups use the center for special meetings. This program is sponsored by the Archdiocesan Development Fund. In addition, Detroit has more than 75 Golden Age Clubs. These programs have been established under varying auspices and are predominately volunteer, with- out undue expenditure. It is reported that the Detroit Recreation Department is becoming quite interested in this area of service. The first 010 Drop-In Center was organized in February 1953. The following is a summary Of the first program after its first six months Of Operation. (Septem- ber 1953) The Drop-In Center Opened February 23, 1953 with an attendance of 14. From the small original attendance five (5) men emerged as a planning group. Each serves as host one day of the week. In recruiting attendance, a flyer was sent to all retirees within reasonable distance of the Center. There has been no effort to build the attendance rapidly. Special events have been publicized and have brought results. The Center ;is Open to all, whether Union numbers or not. \ The director works five (5) days a week from 11:00 A. M. to 3:00 P. M. The numbers are left alone at the end of the day and carry on their Own program. All activities have been started at the suggestion of members. They have in- cluded trips to Belle Isle, Goodwill Industries, Veterans' Memorial and Bob-LO. The Center has become an important part of the men's lives. Hobbies are the weakest part of the program. The men do not wish to learn new hobbies. They prefer discussion groups, counselling sessions, games such as checkers and shuffle board or just watching television. The Library sent books but only fif- teen (15) have been loaned. Current magazines are not read although the daily newspaper is read. Page 6 .... Report of C10 Drop-In Center Coffee is served; members bring their own sandwiches and cookies. Recently the members have had picnics at Chandler Park with women included. This has encouraged women members, who at first were slow in attending the Center, to become a part of the program. Committees now active or under consideration are Recreation Committee, Counselling and Visiting, Job-finding and House Committee. Attendance “I First 6 months ......... 2,851 First month ........... 190 sumnth. 00.000.00.00. 664 Financial Support -- This is provided by the Recreation De- partment of the UAW‘CIO with supplementary donations from local unions. There are at present 12,000 retired UAW workers in Detroit. In the next five years there probably will be 35,000. The second 010 Drop-In Center was started in February 1954 and the third in October 1954. For 1953 the latest infonmation made available to us indicates the following persons were served: 1953* 1955* Monthly Meetings ............... 1,800 Average 2,550 Picnic ........................ 4,500 6,000 Holiday Party................... 4,300 10,500 Drop-In Center ................. 750 Individuals 1,082 Average Daily Attendance ....... 70 70 to 75 Total attendance ............... 10,000 16,400 *These figures are only for the DrOp-In Center at Local 154, the first one to be organised. These 010 programs were financed entirely by the CIO Recreational Comittee until this year, when the Detroit United Community Services (Chest) made a grant of $13,500 for 1956. It is understood that the grant is provided for a demonstration purpose of one year only. It is further understood in making this grant, the Detroit Comittee on Aging shall have the full COOperation of them supervising the UAWBCIO Drop-In Center programIin experimental activities such as specialised counselling, information and referral, and informal recreation in order to test the applicability Of such activities and their resources within the Centers, and to ascertain what contributions DrOp-In Centers can.make to the problems Of aging. Furthermore, it was understood that the Community Services Board of Directors should look to this Committee on Aging for an evaluation of this project before the close of the demonstration period, for guidance in its decision regarding future financial support. Page 7 Report of 010 Drop-In Center The total budget estimated for 1955 was $52,591.00, of which $13,500 was granted by the Detroit United Con-unity Services. In addition to this action, $5,000.00 was granted to the Kundig Center with the same stipulations. LANSING'S FACILITIES FOR AGED - At the present time there is no comprehensive study of programs for the older persons in the cosmmity. From the information available to the Chest office, the only other known programs of any consequence are: (a) the Sun Set Club of the Volunteers of America which meets monthly; (b) the Senior Citizens Group of the Lansing Board of Education; and the two Townsend Clubs. The Retired Teacher Club and Retired University Faculty might also be included. There is, of course, the programs at the Cedar Street Recrea- tional Center and other organisations that serve all people. In these groups ' older people participate on the same basis as any other person. MAYORS' OMITTED 0N AGING - Several times in this report it has been stated there has been considerable discussion but little action. Recently, however, a number of groups have begun to develop programs. The Mayors' Cosmittee (formed in August 1954) is an attempt to consolidate the work of two planning groups in order to concentrate and coordinate their activities and to bring about an orderly development of programs to meet this problem that comands the interest of many peeple. The Hayors' Comnittee is attempting to see the overall view of this vast and growing problem and further, to relate the needs of the aging to the total comnity needs in the field of health and welfare. lunch of the coanittee's work has been exploratory to date. There is, however, maple evidence that loss of employment; reduced income, failing health, unsuit- able housing, and social and spiritual isolation are obstacles found by older people which limit their Opportunities to remain independent, useful and self- respecting citizens. A coordinated plan of remedial action is necessary if the comnity is to meet the complex problems and the ever mounting costs which result from the increase in numbers of older people without a defined role in society. The task of the Hayors' Committee as they see it, is not to operate programs for the aged but rather to suggest an order of priority for a balanced program of services, using every available resource of older people themselves and the comnity, adjusted to available funds, facilities and personnel. The Mayors' Comittee hopes the Lansing Junior League will furnish funds and volunteer time to provide staff to help the connittee to perform its roles as the mmnbere define it. The League's part in the program would be similar to that of the McGregor Foundation in Detroit, namely, to demonstrate the value of the program and then have the Chest or some other source assume the long term financial responsibility. ' The Hayors' Conmittee at this time is in no position to give any recomndations covering the validity of the request of the 010 for support of the Drop-In Center. CONCLUSION The facts and experience in this area are limited; however, there is little doubt that both experience and study will show the following conclusion to be correct: Page 8 Report of 010 DrOp-In Center 1. There is relatively little in the way of specialized services for the aged. 2. Large numbers of older people are experiencing difficulties that are of such severe nature that it leaves them unhappy, non-productive, depen- dent and discontented as a member of our society. 3. The problems of older people are going to drastically increase as the percent of the total population in this age bracket increases year after year. 4. These needs of our elder citizens encompasses much more than leisure time activities. It includes every phase of social welfare. The 010 is the only group which has inaugurated a regular daily program. The response to date clearly indicates an interest in the program. The numbers served at the present time, it would appear, should be increased to justify the expenditure of funds on a continuing basis. It is felt that paid leader- ship is necessary to help direct and coordinate the many volunteers in order to determine the full potential of the program. In regard to Chest participation in the program, the following questions should be considered by the counittee and the Board of Directors, in arriving at their decision. 1. What legal authority does the Chest have to grant funds to an or- ganization that is not incorporated as a non-profit health and welfare agency in Hichigan, nor operated by a Board of Directors that is not representative of the comnity? 2. Could the service be more effectively Operated in an existing agency: 3. Is this a recreational program that should more logically be sup- ported through the recreation department after a proper demonstration period? 4. What could be Chest reaction to other groups in the conmunity that wished to inaugurate similar programs? 5. Is three months ample time to fully demonstrate a program? 6. Who would be responsible for evaluation and what would be considered a successful experience? 7. Is the budget as requested adequate to meet the need? 8. How would financing be arranged after the demonstration period? 9. What qualifications would be sought in securing a staff person? 10. What assurance is there that the present volunteer leadership program will be enlarged? 11. Is the present program hindered by its present location? ,. .. l I .... ,- | S ... . ' ' . . . i . . n .! , a I. . . ‘~ ,1 . . a s . ‘le "n ", .< _ . 'e ,. , n '. ~ . ... . m ‘. o 's a" nu Page 9 .... Report of 010 Drop-In Center 12. Who will supervise the staff and the program? 13. How does financing of this program.relate to any possible future financing of the mayors' Committee on Aging? 14. On what basis was $500.00 determined as the amount to request of the Chest? 15. Could this program be correlated with the current demand to staff a Center for teen-agers? I. ACCOPRESS BINDER BO 2507 EMB To hold sheet size 11 X 81/2. Aim avail-able in special sizes up tn 33‘s)" x 30%" sheer size. Specify iimimg; side first when ordering. Mnrmfmfiurcd By Act; Praiucts, Ind. Ogdensbutg. N. Y., U. S. A- a” “"Tfitmflmufijflnlufi:fli’flinjfififlilflflflfljiflm“ —