Helping Hands : Program volunteers serve as advocates for residents of long-term care facilities, checking into conditions and complaints.

For 14 years, Jacob Epstein, a 56-year-old retired engineer, and his wife cared for his aging mother in their Thousand Oaks home. But her declining health forced Epstein to place his mother in a nursing home last month. Then last week, she survived a stroke, and Epstein again had to obtain the care his mother required. But this time, he also had to fight to reserve space for her in a facility after her treatment.

Epstein’s mother is lucky to have a family member protecting her rights and interests, especially one whose volunteer experience equipped him for the crisis.

Since last spring, Epstein has been among the 24 certified volunteers augmenting the three staff members of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program of Ventura County. In their role as advocates for the elderly residents of skilled nursing and board and care facilities, the ombudsmen make regular unannounced visits to monitor the quality of life and care and to investigate complaints.

One out of two people over age 65 will spend time in a skilled nursing home, according to national statistics. And only 20% of the patients will ever go home. Over half of the older residents who occupy nearly 4,500 beds in the 87 care facilities in Ventura County receive no visitors. And they have no close relatives.

“With extended longevity, most of the residents in their 80s and 90s have outlived all their family and they just don’t have anyone left,” said Shirley Radding, director of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. The nonprofit organization was implemented in 1981 and operates on state funds through the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging and through private grants and donations.

“Ventura County has always been one of our extremely active programs,” said Paige Talley, assistant director of the California Department of Aging in Sacramento, which administers the activities of 900 volunteers in 35 ombudsman programs statewide.

Talley said the Ventura County program continues to expand beyond simply monitoring and recording living conditions of residents. “Over the last two years ombudsmen have become more involved in living will issues, elder abuse policy, pre-admission counseling and family support, and health care powers of attorney,” she said.

Ombudsmen range in age from their 40s to 75. And most, such as Jacob Epstein, are retired. “It was partly as a result of caring for my mother that I got involved in doing this,” Epstein said. “After retirement it became clear that I had to do something useful. It’s because these people have lost their visibility that the ombudsman program is vital to speak up for them. Otherwise, there is no obstacle to the system exploiting them. And this is my way of giving something back.”

ELDER-CARE ASSISTANCE

* For information on the ombudsman program and related services, call 656-1986 in Ventura, or 373-7371 in Thousand Oaks. A free 36-hour volunteer training program runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 7-9, 14, 16, 21, 23 to be followed by 12 hours of field experience with a certified ombudsman.

* To report suspected elder abuse in nursing homes or board and care facilities, call the ombudsman program in Ventura at 656-1986 or Thousand Oaks at 373-7371. But if you know someone in the community who is a victim of abuse, or if you need help, call Adult Protective Services of Ventura County. Reports can be made anonymously by calling 654-5000.

* You and Your Aging Parents, a free program for adults age 50 and older, will be held Monday, April 13, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. You can learn about social service agencies and support services in the community, levels of available care and day care, and legal considerations in caring for aging parents. For reservations or information, call 497-1639.