Agency Helps Elderly With Employment By Keri Schreiner Tribune Staff Writer In January, Louise Callahan will finish school and pound the pavement e in search of a job with all the confidence of a young college graduate. Louise is 62 years old. Like many older Americans, the death of her spouse left Ms. Callahan alone and struggling to survive with a Social Security check as her only means of sustenance. For her, and thousands of others, Green Thumb Inc., offered an alternative. Green Thumb Inc., is a national organization which was established in 1965 to provide part-tim- e public service employment at minimum wage e for people older than 55. Its goal is to incorporate the growing number of senior citizens back into the work force by providing them with subsidized job experience. Assistant Librarian For Ms. Callahan, Green Thumb provided a part-tim- e job as an assistant librarian, as well as a referral to the Opportunities Industrialization Center for additional training in office skills. There is no reason for people to sit back, fold their arms and say theyre too old to work, she said. The training provided by Green Thumb through public agencies and it organizations is inprivate tended as a stepping stone to private employment. The aim of Green Thumb is to get those enrolled back in the work force with a marketable skill, said area supervisor Doug Meacham, not to feed off a public trough, but to get them back into the economy. As area supervisor, Mr. Meacham assesses the ability and interests of the enrollees and finds a position suitable to them. Some training positions for the Green Thumbers may be assisting teachers in schools, blazing nature trails in state parks, helping the disabled through home health care, working in libraries or directing travelers in tourist information booths throughout the state. full-tim- Louise Callahan, a widow, has been helped by Green Thumb, Inc., a national organization which was es tablished to provide part-tim- e public service employment low income at minimum wage for people over 55 years old. Mental Health Center Offers Classes Special to The Tribune LAYTON Davis County residents who are interested in gaining new skills to enhance their personal or family life can find educational opportunities to do so through a series of evening classes being offered by the Davis County Mental Health Center, 2250 N. 1700 West. Coping with Divorce. To help recently separated or divorced people learn to cope with their new status, an eight-wee- k discussion group called Coping Skills will begin 0 p.m. LecWednesday from tures and discussions led by psychologist Joel Alba will provide support and practical information to people who are separated, in the process of divorce or have divorced. The class fee is 32. Assertiveness Training. If you 6:30-8:3- v have a hard time saying No, always put other people first, and are begging to feel like a door mat, then this eight-wee- k course is for you. Assertiveness training is for anyone who would like to be able to stand for themselves, without feeling guilty and without hurting other peoples feelings. Connie Chatlin is the instructor of the class which begins Thursday from 8 p.m. There is a 832 registration fee, however, a 50 percent rebate will be given to those class members who attend every ses- Woodford, a clinical psychotherapist. The class, which begins Thursday 0 from p.m., will last seven weeks. Half of the 832 registration fee will be returned to those attending every session. Advance registration is necessary and fees are due on the first meeting of the class. 6:30-8:3- 6-- sion. Stress Management The class will focus on reducing stress, what contributes to excessive stress, factors that trigger the stress response and understanding the hows and whys of the bodys stress reaction. The class will be taught by Bruce i' i , - J4 Drivers Bureau Cuts Hours The Fairground Office of the ers License Service Service, Driv155 N. 1000 West, will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday until Sept. 21. These hours have been set because large crowds at the Utah State Fair, said David A. Beach, bureau chief. The road test will be cut off at 11:30 a.m. throughout the period. Senior Citizens to Get A Break at Hospital Special to The Tribune In a major savings for senior citizens, Humana Hospital Davis North has waived the entire 8356 deductible payment for Medicare A hospitalization, rather than limiting the cost as other hospitals have advertised. Theres a big difference between limiting the costs a senior citizen must pay and wiping out those costs altogether, said Floyd Morgan, the associate executive director of finance. We have created a pricing program in which a Medicare patient can enter our hospital on an basis and leave paying no expenses. For patients with supplemental insurance, the program will also cover any portions unpaid by the individual LAYTON carrier. non-prof- Elderly Increasing The efforts to tap the reservoir of talents and experience in the senior citizen community is critical with the increase in the number of elderly in the United States. During the period of 1971 to 1980 the population older than 65 rose 31.4 percent, from 20 million to 26.3 million, a rise that is predicted to continue. Were headed for a crisis, the Social Security program will have four to five people on it for every one worker employed, said Mr. Meacham. "The life expectancy is growing. At the age of 60, most people will have 25 years to live on Social Security. Our goal is to transition these people into a job they can physically handle as a second career so they have a way of supporting themselves. Under Title V Mr. Meacham sees a solution in changing attitudes about retirement. Instead of thinking of retirement at age 60 or 65, people should consider the possibility of continuing their work, or if their work is too physically demanding, of seeking an alternative or a second career in a less demanding area. Green Thumb Inc., which operates under Title V of the Older Americans Act, has more than 22,000 enrollees nationwide, with 201 currently enrolled in Utah. Though the people involved with the Green Thumb program are trained, have decades of life and work experience, and are more than willing to put their time and energy into work, the Green Thumb motto of "Ability is Ageless is not widely held in the private sector. You may be a good, qualified worker, said area leader Frank Karman, but if youre over 40 youre finished. Regional Director Yvonne Whea-do- n said she believes there is a definite stigma surrounding the hiring of older people in the American society. We offer people whove been through the mill, they have established work habits and realize they are depended on to do their job, said Ms. Wheadon. But placement is still difficult because of a reluctance to hire older people. Not Prone to Accidents There is a myth that elderly people are more accident prone, which according to statistics is false, she said. Theyve learned through experience to take precautions. In addition to skill training, Green Thumb provides an extensive safety training program with safety guidelines for all fields of employment and general safety on and off the job. iSi- '? you'll be glad you did Char Broiled Mt lb. 100 Beef with cheese, mayonnaise, ketchup, lettuce, tomato & LOTS oi Pastrami t Only T HOURS: Mon. - Thurs. 10:30-1P.M. Fri. - Sat. 0 10.30-1-1 A 9 i 1 1 PM. S