u L‘lt I" i ”WNW ’II M I Nil ll 7 I h 1 «Minimum PLACE IN RETURN BOX to remove this checkout from your record. To AVOID FINES return on or before date due. MAY BE RECALLED with earlier due date if requested. DATE DUE DATE DUE DATE DUE 6/01 c:/ClRC/DateDue.p65-p.15 RECREATIONAL INTERESTS OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE ‘UCIENTS IN LANSING Phyllis Cary Bartlett A PROJECT REPORT Submitted to the Department or Social Service, Michigan State College, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER.0F ARTS 1951 'h-rtsrs , ~ 0 gearifiuwzgq v).- p..;..;... a. n) — t ~~ W "V‘W'M‘m‘! MMIMWW a . -———«..'~——.o-——_. f .1 .1 r r . y” i a? ,If I had my life to live over again, I would have made it a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once a week; for perhaps the parts or my brain now atrophied would thus have been kept alive through use. The loss or these tastes is a loss of happiness, and may possibly be injurious to the intellect, and.more probably to the moral character, by enreebling the emotional part of our nature. Darwin. From Elbert Hubbard's Scrap Book, p. 52. II III IV .4 TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface and Acknowledgments Introduction Historical Background and Current Opinion; Method and Pro ced ure Employed in This Study Analysis of Results: Tables and Interpretation Conclusions Implications of This Study Bibliography Copy of Schedule Used 11 26 31 Preface and Acknowledgments This project is reported in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Master of Arts degree with a major in Social Service. The problem.considered is a product of experience gained during the regular student field 'work of the author in the Ingham County Bureau of Social Aid . * Special mentiOn of appreciation is made here for the counsel and encouragement extended to the author by Dr. E. B. Harper, head of the Social Service Department. Without his help and interest, the project might have been abandoned before it was completed. A vote of thanks is due also to Mr. Minnis, director of the Ingham County Bureau of Social Aid, his two case- work supervisors, Mr. Bates and Miss McLean, and the caseworkers of the agency who work within the city limits of Lansing. Through their concerted efforts the data contained in this report was made accessible. INTRODUCTION .An awakened interest in the problems of the aged people in our nation, has been receiving considerable attention in the press and periodic literature. This interest has taken form in study conferences at various levels. For example, a National Conference on Aging 'was held in Washington D. 0., on September 13 to 15, 1950, for the purpose of exploring the problems of aging in all the major aspects of life. On the State level, a Commission on the Problems of Aging, was established in Michigan by Governor Williams, in March, 1951. .A local example is found in the committee set up by the Ingham.County Council of Social Welfare to study the problems of older people in this vicinity. The first example has received notice in the press and many social welfare magazines such as; Public Welfare, October, 1950, and Social Security Bulletin, October, 1950. The second and third examples have bad publicity in proportion to their’prominence in.the nation. We as a nation are being prodded into an awakened interest in our elder population. This is a normal course of events when we consider that our.nation is becoming one of older people. The age span of life has IE increased and the rate of reproduction has decreased. The general public is becoming increasingly aware that the older members of the nation are relieved of both family responsibility and work. .Alongawith this awareness is the realization that the same people will live happily if their time is occupied in a satisfying way. This naturally leads to a study of every phase of a person's life such as undertaken by the Conference of.Aging in Washington D. C. in 1950. One of the first indications of action being initiated by this new interest was the attempt to secure legislation for the financial support of the older population. This is observed in the Social Security Act. Then we discover clubs and centers being established to care for the recreation and social needs of the older generation. People have banded together in various communities to study social and recreational needs and how they are met or should be met. For example, the City Council of Chicago, set up a Recreation Commission in 1935 to study the city's leisure time needs. A committee under this Commission studied the recreational activities taking place in homes for aged in Cook County, Illinois.1 1 Mary Zahrobsky, "Recreation Programs in Homes for the Aged in Cook County", Social Service Review, March, 1950, Vol. HIV, No. 1, Pgs. 15-55. The concept of occupying the time of our elders in a satisfying way often means to those not yet in this age bracket, all those things dreamed of during a day's labor and enjoyed during leisure. In other words, many thmes those activities thought to be desirable for keeping the older person busy are the same as those the person enjoyed as a hobby or leisure time activity in younger life. Do the older people agree? ‘When they reach the age of retirement do older peOple want to expand their leisure time pursuits into full time projects? maybe they would rather reduce the time spent in this way after retiranent. This study was conducted to explore the thinking and sentiments of older peOple about so called recreational programs being encouraged in our nation. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND CURRENT OPINION For all purposes in this paper, the term ”recreation" 'will be used to mean any activity engaged in by an ’ individual for the personal enjoyment of the individual and which is not considered as necessary for the pres- ervation of the health and welfare of the individual. An understanding of the general attitude toward leisure in the days of our forefathers as compared to those of the present day will help in accepting and evaluating the results of this study. It seems quite feasible that even in the days of earliest man there was some time left over from the task of everyday existence for men to use pursuing a non-essential, pleasurable activity. There are traces of this phase in man's life through the drawings, paintings, sculptors and toys discovered by archaeo- logists. The ancient Greeks develOped a form.of systematic play which was for the purpose of training young:men for military service. This play was intended to occupy the leisure time of everyone except those of aristocracy who could use their spare time as they wished. The philosophy behind this programnwas that leisure time should be used carrying ouf activities which would bring favor to the individual from the fatherland rather than to bring pleasure to the individual. Excesses in systematic play developed eventually. During the Middle.Ages, the Church came out strongly in a reactionary.movement against brutal forms of play. Gradually, all forms of pleasure seeking, and thus recreation, was included in the drive. The philosophy of the use of leisure time was revised accordingly. People of all classes came to feel that idleness, including laziness, was not approved. The idea was develOped that the value of a person in the afterworld depended upon his work on earth and that eternal rest was the reward of the work» man. There is evidence that this idea or philosOphy exists with some people today. For example, those ‘who.make excuses for their leisure time pursuits. This trend of thought has been largely displaced as expressed by the axiom "all work and no play makes this a dull day". The Industrial Revolution, bringing speed to production and consequently more individual free hours, has undoubtedly been a major influence in this direction. There is further evidence of the swing-back to leisure time activities from a life of complete work, V‘E in the increase in commercial establishments such as movies, bowling alleys, etc., as well as bridge and canasta clubs, and individual hobbies. It appears to the author that there is a strong influence of both the philosOphy of the value of work and that of the value of play on the lives of men in the world today. .As a result of these influences there are some people among us who have never develOped their interests in leisure time activity and others who have. Some do not know how to play but just how to work. Other people may enjoy leisure time activities but only as a reward for a good day's work. To at least one person, the idea of leisure time activities for the pleasure of the individual has taken on such importance that he has chosen to call leisure "Democracy's Fifth Freedom." The individual is the foundation of a democratic society. Institutions devised by free men for safe- guarding their rights, providing Opportunities and evoking their dutiful allegiance, aim to provide a fertile soil and favorable climate for the flower- ing of the Four Freedoms. 'Yess--and for a Fifth Freedoms To the freedom of speech and of worship, to the freedom.from want and from fear, must be added the freedom.of choice of pursuits for one's enjoyment and satisfaction in.making a life in one's time cff-the-job, in one's earned leisure. The individual's time when he can call his soul his own, is precious time, because it is self-discovery time. It is then that a great deal of the develOpment of personality and the shaping of character occurs. Then one adjusts to his society. Then one finds the opportunity to extract the juice of living. For countless numbers the time Off-the-job is their only un- mortgaged possession. ‘What a wonderful asset it may be: Or a liability, depending on one's capacity to appreciate it and on opportunity to use it. The kind Of a personal investment and asset to society it turns out to be depends largely on society's awareness of the signif- icance Of free time and its jealous concern for Opportunities for its members to utilize it pleasantly and profitably; Democracy's texture, in fact its very reality, is determined in no small measure by what happens to its people in their own time off-the-job. All too numerous, in peace and in war, are examples of the high dignity of the human being in this democratic society where his life assumes great worth. His attributes are not due simply to the fact that he holds a job and contributes his working hours in some humble way to the progress of civilization. They well from.his Opportunity to live a life Of fuller richness in time which he dares to call his own.1 Mr. Judson T. Landis, in his report on a study Of people over the age of 652, considered that recreation was one means towards happiness in Older people. Example: "Those who take up hobbies after retirement and keep busy are the Ones who are better adjusted in Old age." The study results pictured women usually 1G. Ott Romney, OFF ms JOB LIVING, A. s. Barnes and 00., Publishers, New‘York, 19A5, pgs. 8-9. 2Judson T. Landis, "Adult Education and the.Aged", Adult Education Bulletin, April, 19h2, Vol. VI, pgs. 106- I53, Puinshed by theDEpartment of Adult Education, National Education Association of the U. S. also Judson T. Landis, "The Sunny Side of "65", Iowa ’Earszconomist, January, 19h1, pgs. 11-13. ' «.1111 1.11:4}... . 4. ial ._ 4. . . L . . .. 11!...4..'rllnunia4!. -8- happier than men. This was explained by pointing out that women always have housekeeping to do where- as men retire from their life time work and must learn new ways Of filling time in their lives. The largest group of men in this study enjoyed hunting and fishing before the age 65 while the largest group of the total enjoyed reading after they were 65. 0f the women, the hobby Of greatest following was fancy work both before and after the age 65. METHOD AND PROCEDURE EMPLOYED IN THIS STUDY This study was conducted through the facilities Of the Ingham County Bureau Of Social Aid. The requirements for the master of Arts degree include the recommendation that the project be related to the field work agency of the student. For this reason the author has conducted this study of interests among Old Age Assistance clients. The purpose of the study was to discover if Old Age Assistance clients in Lansing desire, accept or attend a central place for social contact and community recreation established exclusively for the Older age range. The study was made without regard as to whether or not there were adequate recrea- tional resources for older peeple in Lansing. Requirements Of eligibility for Old Age Assistance include that the age Of the person be 65 years or Older. The group is also homogeneous in respect to financial station in the community due to eligibility requirements. .Another group which would come under the age characteristic used here are those receiving Old Age and Survivor's Insurance. For convenience in defining the area of the study however, this group was left out and only the Old.Age.Assistence clients were used. -10- Each.Bureau Of Social Aid visitor who covered an area inside the city limits Of Lansing was given: 12 schedules. The questions on these schedules were to be worked into a conversation as the visitor could best do it. The answers were to be recorded by the visitor after the interview and in as near as possible the same words used by the client. The questions were therefore free-answer type. The author noticed in tabulating the data from the schedules that there was a great deal Of similarity in*wording and phrasing of answers given on schedules Of the same worker. This is understandable since each individual has a little different style of recording from.others. It is heped that interpretation Of the answers in tabulating data has been uniform so that the most accurate results are recorded. - 11.. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS The sample was made up of regularly scheduled home visits in eachnworker's district. i.e. One home visit a year to Old Age Assistance recipients is required by law and the sample is composed of once a year visits. INTRODUCTION TO THE TABLES.AND ANALYSIS A total of 92 completed schedules were returned to the author. The information has been tabulated, totaled and separated into the following categories: (1) sex; (2) age groups. Question 1. -12- you go now to meet people you enjoy? Is there any place in Lansing where Table I. Total distribution Of responses. Distribution Of responses by sex Of the client. -Y Responses Total% I Female% ma1e% hurch h8.1 52.6 , 36.7 isit Homes 25.5 26.3 i 23.3 10.h 8.0 E 16.7 9.h 10.5 i 6.7 3.8 2.6 E 6.7 1e9 '“"'- ‘ 6e? 0'9 --""" i 303 ‘qéa eél- Le So Table _;’ Distribution of responses by age groups. I A T T T Responses 65-69% 70-7h% 75-79% 80-Up% j a Church 1.0.7 1.6.3 50.0 t 61.1 Wisit Homes 29.6 31.7 20.0 ; 11.1 edge 3.7 9.8 20.0 g 11.1 Club 18.5 2.b 5.0 . 16.7 180. 7.1} 2.1.. Dir-hae- i an--- Pool Hall ---- 4.9 ----- : ---— Barber Shop ---- 2.h ' ----- ---- [101“ 25:20“, 20 3.5 L 10 17 Since this question could be answered in more than one way by one individual, there were 106 answers from 92 people. The responses of highest percentage were the church, home visits, lodge, and the club. The men show more varied interest in places to go than the women. Possibly the men distribute themselves in this manner because their life routine is changed more after the age of 65 -13- Or retirement than that Of women. i.e. The men look for'more activities to fill their time while the women still have their household duties to perform. The number of meeting places is decreased with advancing years until it is limited primarily to the church. Visiting in homes is about equally rated between.men and women as are clubs and lodges. Perhaps men prefer to say lodge while women prefer to say club. The number showing interest in lodges increases up to the age of 80 and then it drOps while the number interested in clubs is low up to the age of 80 and then it is raised. This may be corresponding to the rising rate with advanced age of interest in just church meeting. Meeting in lodges may be switched to meeting in church groups or church clubs. -1h- Question 3. What do you like to do when you have spare time? Table III Total distribution Of responses. Distribution of responses by sex Of the client. IT I I ' j Responses Total% Female% Male% Listen to 28.8 26.7 3h.h radio Read 21.2 19.2 26.6 Visit l7.h 18.0 15.6 Fancywork lh.h 19.8 ---- Gardening 8.1 7.0 10.9 Table games 3.8 3.5 h.7 Handicraft 3.h 3.5 3.1 Misc. 2.9 2.3 h.7 - ‘EJA,Pm§mm, 91 62 J0 Table I! Distribution of responses by age groups. I T 1 Responses 1 65-69% . 70-74% ' 75-79% 80-Up% Listen to T 23.5 p 30.2 29.1 31.8 5 radio ‘ ; r Read ; 23.5 1 22.1 21.8 g 15.9 Visit . 17.6 15.1 18.2 1 20.15 Fancywork ; 19.6 12.8 g 10.9 f 15.9 Gardening 9.8 8.1 t 9.1 ? h.5 Table games ---- h.7 i 5.2 g A. Handicraft 2.0 v 5.8 v 3. ---- ' 159,. g, T 3.93; 1.2 1.8, I6‘8’"“‘j T-o‘rol Persons_ 20 L 33 1 .20 /9 TOp preference among activities goes to the radio, reading, and visiting. The men follow these preferences in the same order as the total. The women show a slight tendency to be more interested in fancywork than visiting. There is an increase of 8.3 points showing preference for listening to the radio in the age bracket of 80-up over the age bracket 65-69. Interest in reading in the age bracket 80-Up shows a corresponding drOp of 7.6 points over the age bracket 65-69. A preference for fancywork and visiting seem to be about equal at the age of 65-69 but the emphasis appears to ,hift in favor Of visiting at the age of 80. This is due to the failing ability Of the physical faculties to functionf”?Fancywork requires the use of the faculties more than visiting. -15- Question 3, How Often are you able to spend time at the above activities? Note: The answers to this question were coded as "great deal; Often; occasionally; very little." Table V Total distribution of responses. Distribution Of responses by sex of the client. 11 Responses Total% T Female% ma1e% 1 Great deal AO.2 ? 30.6 66.7 f Occasionally 10.9 } 1h.5 ; 3.3 No answer 10.9 ; 11.3 . 10.0 Iver! Little Bel} L 05 3e3 1 ‘ ['QTal greens ‘12, j 41 130 j Table VI Distribution Of responses by age groups. L_; 1 [Responses 65-69% I 70-71%1 75-79% 80-Up% i . ' 1 Great deal 10.0 F A5.15 j 30.0 1 h2.1 Often 25.0 36.4 h5§o ! 21.05 ,Occasionally 20.0 6.1 10.0 ‘ 10.5 NO answer » 10.0 i 9.1 w 5.0 21.05 \ Persons 10 i 1.323 L .10 I? The emphasis in this question seems to be on the answer of "a great deal a d progressively less to the answer of "very little". 'gg¥§eeurse, the answers in the "very little" bracket are probably some of the most hOnest in the group. Since the clients had already given their preference of what they like to do in the answer to question 2, it would be somewhat inconsistent for than to say that they do these things very little. Consequently the answer received to this question was that the peOple do the things they like to do in their spare time as often as possible. Question 5. your home? Table VII Total distribution of responses. DO you like to have peOple visit you in Distribution of responses by sex Of the client. Responses Totaljé Eemalejé Male% ea 91. 96.8 80.0 0 7.6 3.2 16.7 0 answer 1.1 ---- 3.3 of \ Persons 1%; £2. .30 Table II Distribution of responses by age groups. Responses 65-69% ! 70-7k% 75-79% 80-Upfi Yes 90.0 90.9 90.0 9A.? 0 10.0 6.1 10.0 5.3 0 answer ---- 3.0 ---- ---- o‘bfl Persons 10 33 .20 / Z The desire to have people visit in the client's home is constantly strong through the age brackets. The women are a little stronger in this desire than the men possibly because they have more Often been in the home for their social contacts all through life than the men. There is also the possibility that many Of the man live alone in one room.and they do not feel so secure in their homemaking:abilities and the suita- bility Of their rocm.for entertaining as the women might under similar circumstances. Question 2. people at home? -13- DO you have room in which to entertain Table 1:; Total distribution of responses. Distribution of responses by sex Of the client. {Responses Totalaé Fennle$ ' Ma1e% { Hes 73.9 . 77.h ‘ 66.7 O . 23.9 j 20.96 30.0 7 0 answer 2.2 1.6 .3 ,1, _ ma. Ta‘ Persons 32. L 4;). 30 Table g Distribution of responses by age groups. Responses 65-69% . 70-7u% 75-79%; 80-Up% iron 60.0 i 75.8 80.0 78.9 ‘ o no.0 * 21.2 20.0 15.8 0 anmr -"“"" L 3.0 """' 5.3 o LE’ersons 40 , Q .20 I? Here we find the answer to the question raised in the data on question A. that they have room in which to entertain so Often as the women. room for guests 1390333398 with advancing age. this is due to the°7fact tint the ability to get out Of the home decreases with advancing age and that as one gets Older his consciousness of the suitability or un- suitability of his home for entertaining is lessened. The men do not give the answer The number Of peOple stating that they have Perhaps -19- guestion 6, If a new center were to be established for older age groups to use, do you think you would go there? Table II. Total distribution of responses. Distribution of responses by sex of the client. Fenale% I Male% .1 [18.11. 53.3 37.1 33.3 lh.5 10.0 . it“ ---- 1 3-33 L 4L2 _d_ 3C) Table XII Distribution of responses by age groups. ' I I T ’ A a Responses ~ 65-6996 ' 70-71.% 75-79% _ 80-Up% . O 30.0 39.A 70.0 68.A 68 ' 65. 39.h 20.0 15.78 0 answer _ ---- ... -:-- I_flmfiv5,g_w1 ---- Afi oTa <1sz 13 | 33 I 10 l / Q 5 The answer ”no" for this question outweighs the answer "yes". However, if the answer "yes" could be combined with the answer "not sure", they would just about balance the answer "no". The men are somewhat .more emphatic about this idea than the women. As might be expected, . Tatar t in attending a center fades with advancing ye re./ is is in accord with the findings of questions A and 5. The older bracket Of clients are more interested in meeting people in their own homes than going out to some civic organization in order to meet them. The answers under "not sure" are significant in that they suggest that the Older peOple in Lansing do not have a very clear understanding Of what was meant by the word "center" in the question. It is hoped that the case workers were able to adjust the terminology used in this question to the under- standing Of the clients. Even so, the idea Of a central place for one age group to use as a social center may be so new to the Older people Of Lansing that they have no ideas about it and rather than commit themselves by giving an Opinion they just said they were not sure. -21- Question.z. WOuld you like to see a new place established such as a club or community center where you could meet people socially and do the thinge you said you like to do? Table XIII Total distribution or responses. Distribution of responses by sex Of the client. . I 1: FR 1 .E , espouses Total% Female% Male% Yes 57.6 i 58.1 56.7 NO , 32.6 ' 33.9 30.0 I esitant A 9.8 ,. r 8.0 p 13-3 Tots! Perso n s at 2. 42. l 30 Table XIV Distribution of responses by age groups. ; Responses I65-6996 Q 70-7h% I 75-79% ' 80-Up% Yes § 65.0 : 69.7 15.0 § 12.1 no ‘ 30.0 ‘ 15.15 h5.o 52.6 1 Hesitant 5.0 15.15 10.0 5.3 LIg‘t'd persons 2 33 20 If? Even though the people said they would not go to a center, they did say they would like to see such a place established. One answer which appeared at various tunes in the schedules was that such a place would be nice for other people. This might be interpreted as follows: "I think that such a place is geod for other Older people where they can be set apart as older people but I will not include myself in the category Of Older people"; or "I do not think I am an ordinary Older person who must be treated and thought of as such". There were a number of schedules including answers ‘which indicated that the clients were unsure of their .J ideas about the question. Probably since the majority had said they would not go to a center, there were a few who did not separate the idea of their interest in having a place established and their committment of saying whether or not they would go to such a place. oxen-18:9.» Amcng tie older age bracket we find tint the people are less interested in having a place established for the social contacts of Older peOple than their children are. This may signify a change in the attitude of having best interests of others in mind to a desire for the individual's own personal comfort and pleasure. 8.) Question Q. -23- One age group or of different ages? DO you like to meet with people of just Table II; Total distribution Of responses. Distribution Of responses by sex of the client. Responses Total% Female% Male% 1 Different 58.69 69.h #6.? One 37.0 27.1 16.7 0 answer A13A_ll 3.2 .66 _____ , 1.2112“ Persons ‘72. 6J2: .30 ' Table III, Distribution of responses by age groups. Responses 65-69% 70-71.% 75-79% 80411116 . Different 60.0 5h.5 65.0 57.9 B0 answer A 5.0 _ 3.0 --_-- ]L 10.5 ; HOLE“ Persons .20 33 1.0 _ L? l The results of this question.would show that most Older peOple like to be included in groups of varying ages instead of segregated into those composed Of just Older peOple. This is especially true among the women. Perhaps there is evidence of the idea that people are reluctant to admit their age even to themselves. “1.? -2h- Question 2, Do you prefer to have the place for group activity established in your neighborhood? Do you like to go anywhere in the city? Table XVII Total distribution of responses. Distribution of responses by sex of the client. : Y I I Responses Total% J Female% Male% ‘ Not interested 51.1 f 53.2 53.3 Neighborhood 26.1 22.6 , 30.0 City 21.7 2h.2 % 13.3 Ho_answer 1.1 A ---- ; 3.3 lTfl‘g‘ Person-5 ‘72— L ii .30 Table XVIII Distribution of responses by age groups. ' " ‘1 -Responses 65-69% ’ 70-7h$ 75-79% 80-Up% Not interestedl 50.0 33.3 55.0 1 78.9 Neighborhood ‘ 25.0 36.A 30.0 5.3 City ~ 25.0 f 27.3 i 15.0 15.8 EQ_§Q§!er ; ---- 'M 3,0 g ---_ _-__ Mfrs! Egrsons L 10 33 J 2.0 I? This question was asked in the event that there would be an interest in having a center for older peOple to use for social contacts and recreational activities. Since there was no interest shown.in having such a center, the position of such a place was of no importance to the clients. or the men making any decision for the location of a center, most preferred that it be in their neighbor- hood. The women were about equally divided on the question. With advancing years, the interest shown was to have the place established in the neighborhood of the client. This was up until the age of 80. The people in the age bracket 8040p simply were not interested in having anything to say about such a center. Question 10. Do you or would you like to help plan the activities of the group in a center? Table Egg Total distribution of responses. Distribution of responses by sex of the client. Female% Male% f l Responses 1 Total$1 i o 76.1 1 72.6 76.7 as . 19.6 [ 2h.2 20.0 0 answer j h.3 3.2 3.3 ‘ iéfaijemns [ 72, 4 .2 30 Table XX Distribution of responses by age groups. Responses I 65-59% 70-7h% 75-79% 30-UP% 1 i 'O E 50.0 75.3 85.0 9ho7 ‘ 08 ; [‘an 21.2 1500 5e3 g? answer 10.0, 3.0 ---- ---- 0“ n\ Po. rsons .20 33 10 )7 The answer to this question is undoubtedly "no". The men and the women agree. more emphatic with advancing years. The answer "no" becomes Evidently people are not interested in having a social center for the use of older peOple. ~26- CONCLUSIONS As indicated in the answers to question 1, the places where older people like to go to make social contacts are the old familiar places known to them in younger years. We cite, for example, the Church. 09&e0h /This one answer is probably morally sanctioned by the older papulation and thus given predominate imp portance over such a place as a recreation center ‘which would be unfamiliar to older people and which they would be suspicious toward. The activities preferred by 9&2359990 1e are those learned first in a person's life.’ Number one on the list is listening.<%fi§:fi~people reach the age that concentrated thinking and figuring on an activity becomes a problem, the easiest form of activity for them to turn to is listening. By listening to the radio, an older person has the advantage of keeping in touch with the lives of other peeple with a minimum of effort. Reading is a close second to listening. This too is an activity usually learned at a young age and so is quite familiar to older people. ‘However, it does take second place on the list of preferred activities. This is possibly because of the effort *involved in trying to read. Most of the people of this study indicated that they spend a great deal of time doing things they like to do. The functions of daily life that We require less and less effort/begin to take the place of the duties performed in younger years such as keep- ing house, etc. If a check‘were made with younger people regarding the amount of time spent performing daily activities, it would probably show a predominance of those requiring effort or exertion in preportion to youth of the group. ‘How.many parents are able to follow in the footsteps of their children with the same amount of vigor? It appears that with older years one must take pleasure in the most familiar and simplest activity. In the answers to questions A and 5 there is indication that older peOple are ready to have others make the effort to contact them.rather than for the older people to seek out contacts in the community. “Gi‘he comfort of familiar surroundings outweighs the curiosity and interest in other people and their surroundings. The seekers desire to be sought. ’ The generalization that older people want to attend only the old familiar places of meeting is strengthened by the reaction to question 6. To go -23- to a new place of meeting would probably require more effort than the older people care to exert since they are apparently satisfied with their present pattern of life. The idea of something new creates a re- action of suspicion or uneasiness among older peOple according to the indications of the data in this study. "Remember the good old days" has some security in it since the older person is sure he can adjust himself in situations he has already met. {A new center is not attractive to the older person since ge_dgesnlfik5:%:vhow he would handle himself there. we find/the answers to question number 7 that the older people of Lansing do not wish to appear indifferent to the interests of others and so they ‘will agree to having something new as long as they do not need to state that they will attend or have anything to dO‘With it. The older people of Lansing want to be thought of as a part of the entire community. Question 8 indicates there is no desire to be segregated into a group of equally aged people. This correlates 'with the idea that the people still like to keep in contact with others even though this is accomplished through lessened effort such as listening to the radio, and attending primarily the church. The answers to questions h. 5, and 9 develop the idea that the elder population desire to remain in familiar surroundings and to put forth as little effort as necessary to go places. Evidently the day's work is finished in the lives of the clients in this study. There is no desire to work on a new idea or activity for the enjoyment of the clients or others of their age. Their lives have been lived in ways that they have found most practical. Their lives after the age 65 ‘will continue in the way found most practical. Since the younger years of these pecple did not include the idea that the pecple should attend a special social center to carry out their recreational interests, they do not care to accept the idea in the older years. ,fJLsaalww3/’“"V“4U~M¥53- The results of this study may be characteristic of this economic group of aged alone. The results obtained may be primarily related to the source and size of income of those interviewed. However, I am of the opinion that the same results would be char- acteristic of all economic levels among the aged. The generalizations drawn from.the results obtained can apply as equally well to those of higher financial status as to those in this study. For example: (1) Older people like to continue meeting in places familiar to them, There they have established contacts and are sure of themselves in relation to old and new contacts. (2) Older people have established patterns of behavior (including recreational activ- ities) that are comfortable to them.and they do not desire or feel the need of establishing a new pattern. IMPLICATIONS OF THIS STUDY FOR RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR THE AGED It appears to the author that in order to create a central place for older people to carry out their social and recreational desires, there must be a desire for such a place or organization by the older $;&seh people themselves. lThis can be established only with an acceptance of the idea in younger, formative years so that the plan can be carried through into older years. This is being started with discussion groups that form at such events as the National Conference on Aging in‘Washington D. C. 0118 last year. Periodical literature is educating the younger generation in this respect also. With the next generation of older people there may be notice of more active interest in centralizing the older pecple's efforts at making social contacts and carrying ouf recreational interests. The attempt to provide a center or organization for the use of older pecple at the present timexngm related to future possible establishments as the use of 01d.Age.Assistance program.is related to the future use of Old Age and Survivor's Insurance. It is simply a temporary arrangement to be used until smething more comprehensive is fully established. AUTHOR'S CONCLUSIONS There is some question as to the validity of the results of tnis study. Tn's question arises following the assumption drawn by twe author from reading literature on problems of tfie aged. The assumption was that older people are interested and have need for organized recrea- tional groups. Results of this study would tend to prove the assumption false. Possibly there is a direct relationship between the results obtained and the fact that tne survey was made of public assistance clients by public a sistance visitors. rerhaps the client felt some unintentional pressure to answer as he did because of a fear that tue visitor might be judgmental and that the answer given might affect his Old Age Assistance grant. of course there is tge possibility that tie results obtained have significance in View of the chance teat taese older people are not interested in organized recreation as it was “resented to them by this study. BIBLIOGRAPHY BOOKS Meyer, Harold D. and Brightbill, Charles K., COMMUNITY RECREATION, D. 0. Heath and 00., Boston, 191.8. Romney, G. 0tt, OFF THE JOB LIVING, A. S. Barnes and 00., Publishers, New York, 191.5. Neumeyer, Martim H., Ph.D., and Neumeyer, Esther S., A. M., LEISURE AND RECREATION, Revised Edition, A. S. Barnes and Co., New York, 191.9. ARTICLES Hill, Ruth,, "Focusing Attention on Older People's Needs", Journal _o_f_ Social Casework, December, 191.9, V01. m, fiOe I0, p88. kUS'uIv Landis, Judson T., "Adult Education and the Aged", Adult Education Bulletin, April, 191.2, Vol. VI, No. A. Landis, Judson T., "The Sunny Side of 65", Iowa Farm Economist, January, 191.1. , Tibbitts, Clark, "The Conference on Aging", Public Welfare, October, 1950, Vol. 8, No. 10, SocIaI Security Bulletin, October, 1950, Vol. 13, No. 10. Zahrobsky, Mary, "Recreation Programs in Homes for the Aged in Cook County, Illinois", Social Service Review, March, 1950,. Vol.,XXIV, No. l. Recreational Interests gf’OAA clients in Lansing Graduate Project of Phyllis C. Bartlett in c00peration with the Ingham C ounty Bureau of Social Aid. Survey Schedule July 1950 Suggested Approach We of the agency are making a survey among the older pecple in Lansing about the plans of recreation used some places. For instance, in some communities there are clubs or community centers of a sort set up for the older pecple in the area to use. They are ca lled by such names as the Golden Age Club or the Oldster‘s Club. Perhaps there are organizations or places in lensing where you go when you want to spend some leisure time with other pecple. We are interested to know if the older pecple in Lansing like or do not care about a place where they can meet other pecple socially and enjoy together a program of entertainment, a hobby, or anything they care to do. 1. Is there any place in Lansing where you go now to meet people you enjoy? Possible Suggestions Church Barber Shep Cedar St. Recreation cefier Lodge Visit Homes Club Pool Hall About how often do you go? Once a week. Once a month. Several times a year. 2. What do you like to do when you have spare time? Comments. Possible Suggestions Read Gardening Listen to radio Visit Fancywork Table games i.e. cards, checkers Handicraft 3. How often are you able to Spend time at the above activities. Comments. M. Do you like to have pecple visit you in your home? Yes. No. Comments. ‘ . ~ -. - . . _ . ..’.. ,q - n. ‘ u . 0 - . .-~ ,. . , .,..'-. .- --‘.- . .c. . . . . .c . I. r' I e g . . . . . - n u . . ‘ . . . 4 n 7. 10. Survey Schedule 2 Do you have room in which to entertain peOple at home? Yes. No. Comments. If a new center were to be established for older age groups to use, do you think you would go there? Yes. No. Comments. Would you like to see a new place established such as a club or community center where you could meet people socially and | do the things you said you like to do? Yes. No. Comments. i Do you like to meet with peOple of just one age group or of different ages? Comments. Do you.prefer to have the place for group activity established in your neighborhood? Do you like to go anywhere in the city? Not interested. Comments. Do you or would you like to help plan the activities of the group in a center? Comments. Face Sheet Data l. 2. Case No. 6. No. in the household Address 7. Receiving OASI? Sex 8. Receiving other income? Age 9. Size of 0AA grant. Color 10. Limiting physical or mental handicaps. i.e. lame, deaf. Worker's Name Date schedule completed WWWMM W 'H M \\\ 3 1293 01763 062 t 'llfili‘l 9