Middle class finding themselves unable to receive support services
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

Arlene Cohen

Arlene Cohen knows the satisfaction of a good day's work.

At one point, the marriage and family therapist had two jobs and was putting in as many as 15 hours a day.

But nine years ago, two chronic illnesses overwhelmed the 48yearold Camarillo resident, and she had to give up the job she loved.

Disabled by fibromyalgia and arthritis, which cause her constant pain and exhaustion, Cohen must recuperate in bed for two days after cleaning her kitchen, she said. The illnesses have forced her to neglect her small yard, and she's given up nearly all hobbies and activities.

Although Cohen kept her therapist license active—hoping she would go into remission—this year she let it lapse, realizing she won't return to work.

"The more I try to do, the worse I feel," said Cohen, who is single and has no children. Her nearest relatives live in Las Vegas.

Accustomed to being the caretaker of others, Cohen had difficulty asking for help.

Nonetheless, she went to her rheumatologist, who referred her to Venturabased Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association. But the agency provides services to people in need of in-home skilled medical treatment. Cohen needs light assistance with household chores.

Cohen owns a car, is paying for a condo and has a small retirement account. She said she's surviving on savings and $17,000 a year from Social Security. Though not destitute, Cohen has no money to hire a part-time housekeeper. She was told last year that she was ineligible for food stamps and MediCal. She's too young for some social service programs and not poor enough for others.

"I'm just looking for some help," Cohen said. "There has to be a lot of people in a similar situation who don't know where to turn."

Cohen's situation is similar to many of those throughout the county and perhaps the country who don't qualify for certain programs because of income or age but are in need and forced to make do in a battered national economy.

Melody Hunter, Livingston's intake nurse, said she receives calls frequently from people in Cohen's situation—their property and car disqualify them from most social service programs.

"I don't have the answers for them except the resources we have available," Hunter said.

The Area Agency on Aging offers several services to seniors and disabled seniors but only a community service connection program for disabled adults under 65. Given Cohen's circumstances, she may qualify for a onetime house cleaning only, said Monica Neece, supervising care manager.

"She's another one of the middle-class-crunch people," Neece said, adding they're the biggest group, including adults over 18 with a debilitating brain injury, the agency has trouble connecting with social services in the community.

If Cohen was on MediCal one of the governmentfunded programs she could qualify for is InHome Support Services through Ventura County's Human Services Agency. The program tries to help the disabled and elderly stay in their homes instead of moving to assisted facilities by providing light housekeeping and other services. Clients could share some or none of the costs, depending on income.

Both programs, similar to others funded by the state, have had their funding cut back and are likely to be cut further, given California's poor financial state— a nearly $28-billion shortfall.

Cohen said she doesn't want to take away services from people in dire financial need. But there needs to be more social services for people like her, disabled adults who aren't indigent or senior citizens, she said.

"Anyone could find themselves in this situation," all it takes is a stroke, car accident or some other catastrophic event, Cohen said. "We need some resources. . . . We need support services. . . . Illness and disability have no age."

She also wants people to realize that a disability doesn't have to be visible. Her illness is causing degeneration of her spine, hips and knees. Not seen by others are the sleepless nights she experiences because of continuous pain or the overwhelming exhaustion from simple activities—taking a shower or grocery shopping, for example.

"I'm not trying to get out of work—I'm upset that I'm not at work," said Cohen, who used to earn $60,000 a year. "Why would I give up a good salary (for) probably onesixth of what I was earning? Who in their right mind would do that?"

Cohen said her training as a therapist helped her to know where to look for help, although she's found little. After calling one agency after another, she was referred to a Camarillo church group who spent an hour or so cleaning her yard and oven.

She realizes her situation is a problem she must cope with

"I realize I'm a lot more blessed than some but worse off than others," she said. "I try to look at the bright side: I can walk; I can talk; I can see; I can hear."