Section 49-6-1 - Purpose of article(a) The constantly increasing proportion of older people within the population of this state and the increasing gravity of the human distress and the loss accruing to the entire society as a result of the limitations and disadvantages confronting older people in maintaining their economic self-sufficiency and personal well-being and realizing their maximum potential as contributors to their community, state, and nation are matters of profound import and concern for all the people of this state.(b) It is, therefore, necessary and of the utmost importance to encourage the development and maintenance within this state of a comprehensive and coordinated network of public and private facilities for the alleviation or correction of these limitations and disadvantages and to encourage the conducting of continuous study and research into the needs and problems of older people under present and future economic and social conditions because it is essential for the prevention of dependency and the conservation of human values and a necessity in safeguarding and fostering the general welfare.(c) It is, therefore, declared to be the intent of the General Assembly by the passage of this article to provide for encouragement of the development, maintenance, and coordination of the aforementioned facilities.