The Long-term Care (LTC) Ombudsman Services of Santa Barbara County is a private nonprofit organization mandated by state and federal law to receive, investigate, and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents living in long-term care facilities, such as skilled nursing homes or convalescent homes and in residential care facilities (also know as assisted living or board and care).

In addition to receiving and investigating allegations of abuse, the LTC Ombudsman Services:

The Santa Barbara County Adult Protective Services Agency is responsible for investigating, on its own and jointly with law enforcement, reports of abuse of elder and dependent adults alleged to have occurred anywhere other than in a long-term care facility, including that which has occurred in private homes, hotels, acute care hospitals and health clinics, adult day care facilities and social day care centers.

In addition to receiving and investigating allegations of abuse, APS social workers provide:

Crime causes extraordinary trauma. Most victims suffer some discomfort and stress as a result of even the most minor type of crime. Evidence suggests that elderly crime victims experience a more severe reaction than younger populations. Physical age-related changes have much to do with the elderly's vulnerability to psychological injury. Gerontologists (doctors who work with the elderly) have suggested that the single most critical age-related difference in physiology is a diminishing ability to respond to stress. The stages of the crime-stress reaction are often more severe in the elderly. The immediate reaction to crime is shock and disbelief. In the aftermath of shock, normal reactions include fear, anger, depression, and frustration. These reactions reflect the sense of helplessness felt by crime victims and the loss of self-control imposed by the attack.

The elderly victim may have already tried to deal with a growing sense of dependence and helplessness. Older persons may suffer a state of "chronic losses." These losses include loss of job, status, death of family members or friends, loss of physical mobility, reduced income, health and sometimes home. These feelings along with others may be made worse as a result of a crime.

The Victim-Witness Assistance Unit of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office recognizes the special needs of senior crime victims. Specially trained victim advocates provide a variety of services and assistance to the elderly population. Some of these services are as follows:

Area Agency on Aging/Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens: responsible for the implementation of the Older Americans Act and Older California Act in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Activities include program development, advocacy and coordination and area plan administration. Program goal is the development of a comprehensive system of services for the elderly, age 60 and over. For additional information, call 925-9554 in Santa Maria, or 965-3288 in Santa Barbara, or visit their website by clicking here.

Aging and Long-Term Care Network: A program of Santa Barbara County Department of Social Services, the Network advises the Board of Supervisors on matters concerning senior issues and long-term care planning for seniors and the disabled. For additional information, call 346-8355.