By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Four representatives of San Bernardino County’s Department of Aging and Adult Services spoke to the combined meeting of the mountain’s two Municipal Advisory Councils: Crest Forest and Lake Arrowhead.
Assistant Director Damion Wright told the MAC members that “our mission is becoming more important every year.” That mission is to “empower older adults from diverse backgrounds to age in place with choice, independence and quality of life.”
By 2030, Wright noted, one in four Californians will be age 60. “That is the population we serve,” he said. “Our needs are growing. Our services and resources will also need to grow.”
Wright said their department is unique in that they house three distinct areas: Aging, through which they provide health-related social and nutrition services for older adults; Adult Programs – Adult Protective Services and In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) – both of which are designed to ensure the safety of older adults and individuals with disabilities; and Public Guardian, the court-appointed conservator of last resort for those unable to provide for their basic needs.
Deputy Director David Bohl outlined the aging programs, noting they are the gateway to services. The nutrition services are one of their most popular programs, he said.
“It’s more than just a meal,” Bohl said. “It’s social connection. People come together, mingle, interact, feel like part of the community.” The senior nutrition program at the San Moritz Lodge is funded through this program.
Through the family caregiver support program, caregivers can get training, support and respite. “Family caregivers don’t get a lot of breaks,” Bohl said. “We provide them with some time off.”
Through the Aging program, legal services for things like advanced planning are also available.
Mike de Jesus with Adult Protective Services said this state-mandated program is designed to keep seniors safe. A social worker will do an assessment, listen to any concerns the senior citizen has.
“We provide help to individuals who are struggling to care for themselves or make safe decisions,” de Jesus said. The services are voluntary – adults who can make their own decisions may accept or decline the services offered. The only exception would be if a crime is reported, they have to report it to law enforcement or if the person cannot make their own decisions, they refer them to the public guardian.
The department’s in-home supportive services is one of their largest programs, said Brizza Ramirez. They have more than 57,000 clients in San Bernardino County, 641 of whom are in the mountain communities.
“Our purpose is to help individuals receive personal care and any domestic services they need,” Ramirez said. With these services, they can avoid institutional living situations like nursing homes.
After assessing how much the individual can do alone and how much help they need, the department determines how many service hours can be provided.
“The individual receiving services is in the driver’s seat,” Ramirez said. “They can choose who they want to provide care. It can be a family member, a neighbor, someone they are comfortable with. We will guide that person through the enrollment process.”
The Office of the Public Guardian, Wright said, offers specialized support for complex needs – services to those who cannot care for themselves, whether they are disabled or have mental health issues.
“We work with the courts and hospitals to make sure they’re cared for properly,” Wright said.
Last year they protected 794 people. That number is going down, Wright said, adding each person has to be reassessed every year. “Our efforts are focused on trying to get them as independent as possible,” he said.
As they concluded their presentation, they referred people to their website, https://daas.sbcounty.gov, and their information service number, (800) 510-2020.
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