Expiration of Grant Could Spell End of Senior Outreach Program

For more than two decades, Fred and Doris Gilbert have been highly visible around town as volunteers, especially at the Laguna Beach Community Clinic.

That changed 18 months ago, when Doris Gilbert, a registered nurse, had surgery and suddenly was the one needing help.

The transition was not easy, said Fred Gilbert, 90, who called on Laguna Beach Seniors Inc. for assistance.

“When the time came that I felt it sure would be a help if I could have somebody stay with my wife, or even help with the housecleaning to give me a little relief, that’s when I called them,” he said.

The support group dispatched social worker Sharon McNair, whose duties include linking seniors with services that help them live independently. McNair said she arranged for “respite care” for the Gilberts, which provides companionship for Doris, 82, and allows Fred to continue his duties as the Community Clinic’s “fix-it man.”

Though McNair provides an invaluable service, senior advocates say, the Community Development Block Grant that has helped pay her salary will expire next month.

The senior group’s leaders said the chances are “about 50-50” that, as a result, the outreach program will fold.

The loss would be a blow, Fred Gilbert said.

“From what I hear from others who have had this service, they are very enthusiastic about it,” he said. “No question.”

McNair, who has 20 years’ experience as a social worker, is on the job about 24 hours a week and is paid about $11 an hour for her duties, which include home visitations with Laguna Beach seniors to advise them about the services available: meals programs, household and shopping assistance, and transportation to doctor and other appointments.

McNair also organized volunteers who, since October, have given about 460 hours of “friendly visiting” time during which they read to seniors or help with gardening.

She has a caseload of about 95 people, most of whom are low-income clients.

About 60% of her clients are 80 years and older, and many are beyond 90 and still living at home.

“She’s kind of the glue that holds all of the other service organizations together,” said Virginia Schott, Laguna Beach Seniors Inc.’s board president. “Since she’s come in we’ve been able to keep people in their homes. And I think they’re a lot happier that way.”

Schott said she is taking a variety of steps to solicit money to keep the program running.

Rebecca Guider, who supervises the county’s Adult Protective Services Program, said outreach workers such as McNair are also the first line of defense for abused seniors who are still living at home.

“We’ve had an increasing number of reports of elderly independent adult abuse in the community,” Guider said Monday. “And people like Sharon . . . who go out into the community are some of our most reliable mandated reporters.”

Information: (714) 497-2441.