Looking out for seniors: Long-term care ombudsman program faces cuts
| Friday, May 22 2009 06:19 PM
Last Updated Friday, May 22 2009 06:30 PM
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Kern County Long-term Care Ombudsman program
Phone: 323-7884 888-292-4252
Address: 615 California Ave.
State crisis line available after-hours, weekends and holidays: 800-231-4024
OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM
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Her only employee will likely be laid off next month, leaving her with a seemingly unmanageable workload, and still Nona Tolentino refuses to yield to self-pity.
The primary watchdog over more than 100 convalescent homes and the like countywide, Tolentino knows hers is among many long-term care ombudsman programs across the state facing painful budget cuts.
Sitting last week in her modest office on California Avenue, she casually explained how she soon will have to balance administrative duties -- such as answering the phone, training volunteers and filing federally required paperwork on a daily basis -- with the critical work of investigating claims of abuse and neglect of senior citizens.
"Something's got to give," she said resolutely.
Shuddering to think
Few share her willingness to accept what would almost surely mean longer waits for resolution of complaints filed by or on behalf of senior citizens, widely considered the community's most vulnerable population.
"She can't be a one-woman show for the entire county of Kern," said Sandy Morris, a Bakersfield Police Department community relations specialist who often works with Tolentino.
"We've got a lot of people to care for here," Morris said. "And if Nona gets all her help cut, I shudder to think."
So does John Vasinda, owner of a local assisted living facility for seniors, Hallmark of Bakersfield. He called the budget cuts Tolentino faces "a tragedy."
"It's the seniors that have no voice, that have no family, and that's who the ombudsman takes care of," he said.
While Tolentino's program relies on federal as well as state money, its immediate funding threat stems from the state's budget crisis. In October the governor reduced the money available for the state's ombudsman programs by half.
Programs elsewhere responded immediately with layoffs. But in Kern, the county's Aging and Adult Services department was able to make up most of the difference. The rest was covered by Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance Inc., the nonprofit that oversees the ombudsman program.
The director of the county department, Kris Grasty, doubts it will be able to offer monetary assistance this time, in light of Kern's own budget shortfall.
"This (ombudsman program) is another one of those state programs that the governor has cut to balance the budget, another one of the Health & Human Services (Agency) programs that he continues to chop away at," Grasty said.
Hope in Sacramento
There may yet be hope for bridging the funding gap, in the form of two bills before the state Legislature. One would restore half the money cut from the statewide program in October; the other would attempt to build stable funding for ombudsman programs into the state budgeting system.
The former of these two looks more likely, said Derrell Kelch, executive director of the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging, a nonprofit that represents local agencies working on behalf of senior citizens. He added that the cuts made in October were "devastating" to ombudsman programs around the state, and that the governor's office seems to recognize that.
Short of restoring money cut from the budget, there is some assistance available locally, though it does not necessarily entail direct financial help.
Law enforcement help
Allegations of abuse and neglect against long-term care facilities residents can also be filed with, and investigated by, local law enforcement agencies and the state.
Tolentino said these agencies may indeed have to take on a greater share of the complaints she would otherwise handle.
She also expressed hope that her parent organization, Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance Inc., may be able to help out by answering phones and receiving walk-in visitors when she's out.
The nonprofit's executive director, Estela Casas, said she and her board are devoted to the program.
"But the reality is, you know, that's a significant cut for that (ombudsman) project," Casas said, "and depending on what other state cuts may occur, that is going to determine how much additional assistance we can provide."
Tolentino said she hopes her team of more than two dozen volunteers will be able to pitch in, too, although they probably would not be able to handle the more complex cases.
Also, she so far has not resorted to hosting a golf tournament or a yard sale.
"I might have to start doing that," she said.
