Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 4 · column 2 of 6 · from the scan, no model involved
Supervisors towards welfare programs. They seem to consider keeping costs down far more important than providing services. Further, they appear to hold Mrs. Buntin personally responsible for all the deficiencies in the welfare system.
Judging from their past performance, we’d be surprised if they appropriated funds to continue the optional companion and chore services for the elderly.
Dropping the program would be a mistake. It provides a welcome alternative to institutional care for senior citizens who need just a little help to manage at home.
Companions are exempt from the minimum wage regulations. Their services at an hourly rate are far less than the cost of nursing home care that now runs anywhere between $800 and $1,000 per month. By hiring local people to serve as companions for the elderly, tax dollars are kept in the community rather than spent in out-ofcounty institutions. Further, welfare recipients themselves can be taken off the rolls and put back to work performing household chores and watching over senior citizens.
But of greater significance to the clients of the companion services program is the chance to remain in their homes, close to their friends and a part of the community rather than sliding slowly towards death in an institution.
Law does not allow for children or grandchildren to be held accountable for the care of their elderly relatives. Therefore, either federal government, state government or local government
must shoulder ^responsibility. If local government can be most effective in terms of cost and human comfort, then it should take the job.
87.6%