These Old Folks Downsized In The 1960s & Were Beautifully Treated As They Aged. Today

This documentary film was made in 1964. It attempted to deal with the growing number of senior citizens in America and their needs – from 5 million in 1920 to 9 million in 1940 to 17 million in 1960. The program was made after President John F. Kennedy’s signed legislation that helped communities to develop special health services for the elderly. The film presents some of the out growths of that legislation – visiting home nurse services, meal service for those unable to do their own cooking, elderly housing, psychological and medical services, and recreational therapy. The life of the senior citizens is seen through John and Edna Cummins, a retired couple who sell their home to live in a small apartment. Soon thereafter, Edna is widowed when her husband is struck and killed by a car. Edna has a life expectancy of more than 10 years; the program poses the question is society ready for her? She is seen in a hypothetical situation – a town (Newport Rhode Island) where the special facilities were available for the elderly, a town where Edna could lead a useful and meaningful life. In the early 1960s, America was at a cusp of significant social and cultural changes. Here are several aspects of how older individuals were treated during this time: Social Security, which was established in 1935, was a major source of income for many older adults during the early 1960s. However, the benefits were not always sufficient to keep up with the cost of living, and many seniors lived with financial insecurity. Medicare and Medicaid were not established until 1965. Prior to these programs, many older adults faced financial hardship if they required medical care, as health insurance was often unaffordable or unavailable to them. The quality and availability of nursing home care varied widely, and federal standards for these facilities were not established until later. Long-term care was often provided by family members at home. Ageism, or discrimination based on age, was more pronounced and socially accepted during this era. Employment opportunities were limited for older adults, and mandatory retirement policies were common. Families and communities often played a large role in supporting older individuals. Multi-generational households were much more common than they are today. The public perception of older adults was often stereotyped, with seniors frequently portrayed as being frail, forgetful, and dependent. The early 1960s saw the beginnings of organized advocacy which led to significant policy changes in later years, such as the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid. In 1965 the Older Americans Act was signed into law, establishing an array of services and programs designed to improve the lives of older adults. This represented a significant step toward a more organized and federally supported system of care and support for seniors. The history of nursing homes and elder care is long and complex, evolving alongside societal changes and advancements in medical care. Prior to the 20th century, families typically cared for their elderly relatives at home. In some cases, elderly individuals without family support might reside in almshouses or poorhouses, which were often underfunded and poorly maintained. In the early 20th century, with the advent of social security and pension plans, private “old folks' homes“ or “rest homes“ began to appear. These establishments were primarily boarding houses with little to no medical care provided. After World War II, with the advent of antibiotics and other medical advancements, hospitals began to play a bigger role in healthcare. There began a movement towards providing care for the elderly in more medicalized settings, leading to the development of what we now recognize as nursing homes. The Hill-Burton Act of 1946 provided federal funding to improve the nation's hospital system, which inadvertently also led to the construction of more nursing facilities. In the early 1960s, nursing homes varied widely in terms of quality and the level of care provided. They were beginning to transition from being merely boarding houses to more medically-oriented facilities, but regulation and oversight were still quite limited. The medical model of care was predominant, which often led to institutional environments that lacked a homely atmosphere. This was filmed in wealthy Newport, Rhode Island, , a city famous for its Gilded Age mansions. Like much of the country, Newport was also experiencing the social and cultural changes of the 1960s, including the civil rights movement and other social justice initiatives. If the story of Edna touched you, please consider supporting my efforts to present more films like this by clicking the Thanks button below the video screen or by becoming a patron at David Hoffman filmmaker