The 38 single or widowed inmates whose applications fall under the head of “Special Relief” were nearly all in need of special medical or surgical attention, or of convalescent care.
From the standpoint of restoration to self-support this group, as shown by the abstract given below, is discouraging, but it is doubtful if the Rehabilitation Committee in granting the special relief, expected the recipients to regain economic independence. Owing to the crowded condition of the hospitals in 1906 and 1907 it was necessary to avoid sending to them persons who could be provided for otherwise. The yet greater overcrowding in the institutions for the aged and infirm made it compulsory, until the Relief Home was completed, to give some outdoor relief to those who did not imperatively require institutional care.
Those still independent three years after the grant was made averaged twelve years younger than those then receiving relief. The financial showing is not so discouraging as the social. The 29 persons received grants amounting to $2,955, an average of $102 each. This sum would have paid for keep in an institution, if there had been room, for not more than seven months. The average time that elapsed before each became dependent is, in the known cases, considerably more than seven months. The money therefore was not wasted. Moreover, those objecting, as most of them did, to going to an institution, had the comfort of attempting self-support.
Grant Made:[275]
(a) Not Dependent (probably):
Domestic servant; age 68. Granted $150. No information could be obtained in 1909.
Domestic servant; age 35. Granted $75 for an operation. Self-supporting.
Cook; age 66. Granted $50. No information could be obtained in 1909.
Housewife; age 50. Granted $75 for washing machine. Ejected from Ingleside. Small amount for current expenses.
Cannery clerk; age 61. Granted $20, and later $75, to go to hospital and then to the country. Now with friends.