May 8, 1969
Page 11753
"SENIOR AIDES" AT WORK IN AROOSTOOK
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, in mid-1968 the U.S. Department of Labor granted funds for establishment of pilot "senior aide" programs that would enlist older Americans in service projects that might not otherwise be performed.
In providing the wherewithal for this effort, the Department of Labor was at least partially fulfilling a longstanding goal of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, of which I am a member. That committee has sought for some years establishment of a national older
American community service program which would provide opportunities for the elderly to engage in work that would have great meaning to them and to the people they serve.
One of the senior aides programs was established in Maine, and I am happy to report that it appears to be making its mark in Aroostook County. Although it is modest in numbers – only three aides are involved – it appears to have found its way into the life of the community in very down-to-earth, effective fashion.
This "good neighbor" approach is refreshing and worthy of emulation elsewhere, to judge by a report made at the recent biennial meeting of the National Council on the Aging in Washington, D.C. That report was made to the NCOA by Andrea Dyer, home economist of Aroostook action program. I ask unanimous consent that it be printed in the RECORD.
There being no objection, the report was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
ANDREA DYER – VIGNETTE FOR NCOA BIENNIAL CONFERENCES
When the Central Aroostook Action Program, based in the northern tip of Aroostook County, in Presque Isle, Maine, 12 miles from the Canadian border, was initially approached in October 1968 by the State Office of Economic Opportunity with regard to the possibility of three slots for Senior Service Corps food assistance workers for our agency, we shuddered at the thought and wondered what we could possibly do to keep three part-time, low-income senior citizens busy.
Now, six months later and an established caseload of almost 3,000 Aroostook County citizens, we wish we had ten more like the three we currently have.
In the initial steps of setting up the donated commodity program, three communities were approached. The three (3) were chosen because they were the three largest population centers in our area and had not participated in the commodity program for the last 5 or I0 years. They were asked to provide storage facilities, volunteer manpower when necessary and payment of all expenses incurred. Two responded affirmatively and one declined, saying that the cost would be prohibitive. Keep in mind that this was a community of approximately 13,000 population that only expended 1/2 of its welfare budget in the previous year.
The central Aroostook action program and the Senior Service Corps then began to operate the donated commodity program in earnest. Though skeptical, the communities let us begin on a trial basis even though, "there are no poor people in our community."
The initial certification to determine eligibility was done in mid-October with the first shipment of commodities due to arrive in November.
After the first delivery and distribution, the results were plain to see. The need was there and without the Senior Service Corps food assistance workers, there never would have been a chance to discover the need, much less meet it in a tangible manner.
Through the National Council on Aging, these three Senior Service Corps personnel are paid individually $32 a week for a twenty-hour work week. For $96 a week,. approximately 3,000 people are being served in the donated commodity program by the Senior Service Corps in Aroostook County.
The attitudes of the surrounding communities in the area are changing rapidly. Four more communities are participating in the program with several more inquiries pending – all due to the inception of the Senior Service Corps last October. By employing three low income senior citizens in northern Aroostook County, almost 3,000 citizens of all ages are being helped.
They are completely involved in the program. Certifying eligible recipients, completing orders and inventory reports, providing delivery services for senior citizens unable to pick up their commodities. By becoming involved, active members of society, with their participation in the Senior Service Corps, they are helping not only themselves but many others in the Central Aroostook County area.