Oasis in the Haze : An identification program begun in Simi Valley helps lead people suffering from various impairments back to safer ground.

Since he developed Alzheimer’s disease in 1985, 77-year-old John Fritch has had lots of trouble with his memory. But one thing he said he’ll never forget is the terrifying night he spent in a park--coatless and shivering under a tree--after wandering from his home in Simi Valley last winter.

It was not the first time that Fritch had slipped away when his wife, Doris, turned her back. But thanks to Elder I.D., an innovative photograph identification program begun in Simi Valley, the last time it happened, authorities were able to identify Fritch after a jogger spotted him early the following morning.

Fritch’s experience wasn’t unusual. Every day across the county, authorities say numerous senior adults with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other forms of memory impairment wander away from home or nursing facilities. Usually, they add, the seniors cannot identify themselves and rarely know their address or phone number. In some cases, they hide from people trying to help them after becoming frightened or confused by unfamiliar surroundings.

In the Elder I.D. program, photographs and vital medical and identifying information are kept in confidential books with a social service agency--which now varies from city to city--as well as at the local police station. This eliminates another common problem.

“People with memory impairment tend to remove name tags, or they will often leave a wallet containing identification cards behind,” said Veronica Hurd, director of Older Adults Services and Intervention Systems (OASIS), headquartered in Simi Valley.

They also often wander away and become lost when darkness falls, Hurd said.

“The sun-downer’s syndrome is very common for people with dementia illness,” she said. “They see shadows in the corners and cannot distinguish what is real and what is not. Or they pass a mirror and become frightened.

“They don’t recognize themselves as the 70-year-old face in the mirror. So they think it is an intruder in the house and they might run away.”

During the holidays, Hurd added, the problem for many senior citizens increases. For one thing, she said, care givers are distracted with holiday preparations. Heightened tensions often create increased agitation in the seniors. And when seniors are taken shopping or visiting, their chances of wandering off are greater.

Experts recommend using specially designed iron-on garment labels that can be inscribed with information and a physician’s release form to receive medical treatment, if necessary.

Elder I.D. was begun in 1989 by Hurd and Simi Valley Police Officer Jay Carrott after the two worked together on several occasions trying to locate and identify senior citizens who had strayed. Carrott was familiar with the frustrations and worry of the families. His mother had had Alzheimer’s disease.

Today, the program has about 220 Ventura County senior residents registered. Last year, during the holiday period from Thanksgiving to Jan. 1, “we were able to return 15 people to their homes who had wandered in the areas we serve,” Hurd said.

After its success in Simi Valley, the model program was adopted throughout Ventura County, in the San Fernando Valley, Long Beach, Sacramento, and parts of Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties. It also has been implemented in a far more distant place.

Fritch, for one, said he is glad to know the program exists.

HOW THE OASIS PROGRAM WORKS

Established in 1986, Older Adults Services and Intervention System (OASIS) is a nonprofit program of social services for older adults, sponsored by Catholic Charities of Santa Barbara Region. Its goal is to help senior citizens remain independent and avoid premature institutionalization. It serves about 1,400 senior citizens in Ventura County. Services are provided free of charge. The program depends upon tax-deductible donations, grants and the aid of volunteers.

In addition to Elder I.D., OASIS offers an activity-support group for high-functioning, cognitively impaired senior citizens. It meets Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church hall, 1305 Royal Ave., Simi Valley. Each session, which includes lunch, costs $10 per senior. But seniors will not be turned away because of an inability to pay. Prior registration is necessary. For details, call 526-3009.

An OASIS-sponsored support group for care givers of people with Alzheimer’s disease teaches coping techniques. It also provides an opportunity to express anger and frustration in a safe, caring environment. The group meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Hallmark Nursing Center, 5270 E. Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley.

For information about OASIS, contact the main office in St. Peter Claver Church, Stow and Cochran streets in Simi Valley, 526-3009.