An array of elder care programs has sprung up over the last 20 years, funded by the Older Americans Act and distributed throughout all American communities. Unfortunately, these programs are not always highly visible or well coordinated, even though services are available in the Santa Barbara area. Please refer to our Selected Community Resources section of this web site which lists various eldercare agencies and referral services in our area.
When elder care issues arise, you need to act as early as you can. You need to know what questions to ask, what kind of help is available and what is most appropriate. (For example, your elder may not need to go into a nursing home; all that may be required is to safety-proof his/her own home, or bring in someone to do household chores, for a fraction of the cost.)
How do you know when to step in? In a medical crisis, it's obvious, but if you're observant, sometimes an elder will send signals that intervention is needed before something more serious happens. For example, your elder's house may not be as clean or tidy as it was. Bills may go unpaid. The refrigerator may be full of outdated foods and the pantry full of weevils. Personal grooming;clean clothes and body;may have deteriorated. Your loved one may also have had a significant change in weight or eating habits. Changes in your elder's attitude or behavior (for instance, isolation, depression, memory loss) are key warning signs, especially if there have been recent losses;of friends, or in "activities of daily living," such as bathing, eating, cooking, or mobility.
Within the community, the single best place to begin is your county's Area Agency on Aging (AAA). Sometimes this office is called the Council or Commission on Aging or Elder Affairs. This federally-funded program, known as the National Network on Aging, offers free or low-cost services through public and private agencies. The wide range of services includes domestic help, home health care, transportation, information and referral, adult day care, and legal advice. The AAA's purpose is to keep elders in their homes and out of institutions, for as long as possible. The Area Agency on Aging may be reached at (805) 965-3288. You may also call 1-800-510-2020 for referral to senior services anywhere in the state of California. If you need help for a relative who lives farther away, call the ElderCare Locator, 1-800-677-1116, which can refer you to the nearest AAA office.
You can also get information from your elder's doctor or other medical professionals, community mental health centers, hospital discharge planners or social workers, geriatric care managers, local and national medical associations, senior centers, family service agencies, adult protective services and rehabilitation centers. Many private businesses are now involved in facilitating elders remaining independent; check with pharmacies and grocery stores, for example. Employment services that specialize in older workers are a good source for companions, drivers and housekeepers for an older person living alone.
Word of mouth is also a valuable resource. Check with religious and civic groups, neighbors and friends. Many churches and synagogues sponsor volunteer programs to run errands for seniors or visit shut-ins. Hospitals and geriatric clinics conduct physical examinations and psychological and nutritional evaluations; international organizations provide translation services and referrals. Private organizations and hospitals, among others, offer support groups.
If you have the funds, but not the time or patience to do the care giving yourself, consider hiring a private geriatric care manager, a licensed professional who will develop and administer a course of action, and monitor the care plan for you. This is especially valuable in long-distance caregiving. For a referral, contact the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, 1604 N. Country Club Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, 520-881-8008.