Program pairs seniors with volunteer guardians

The program has about 20 volunteers and is looking for more.
By TIM YOVICH
Vindicator Trumbull Staff
WARREN -- Dora Troup found that it wasn't safe for her to drive her car anymore.
Troup, who lives on the city's west side, has hip and shoulder injuries and arthritis. Besides, she's 83.
"It was getting kind of dangerous to operate my automobile," Troup said recently -- although "I think like I'm 33."
Troup has no immediate family nearby. Her husband died 27 years ago, her brother has been in a nursing home for 20 years, and a son lives in Colorado.
So, she picked up the phone earlier this year and called Susan J. Rebhan, director of the Trumbull County Probate Court's Volunteer Guardian Program.
Her guardian spends Wednesday afternoons taking her to the grocery store, pharmacy and hairdresser. She also gets help from a neighbor and a former neighbor.
"It's wonderful to have help," Troup said.
The program began about 21/2 years ago, Rebhan explained, because Probate Judge Thomas A. Swift saw a need among senior citizens who don't have family or friends and aren't legal wards of the court.
Rebhan has 20 active volunteers who regularly visit 50 to 60 older people -- some at their homes, others in assisted living facilities.
Companions
Rebhan makes it clear that volunteers aren't caregivers. Rather, they spend some time listening to the seniors and running errands. In some cases, the clients view their guardians as family members.
Regardless of where the clients live, the guardians make sure the clients are clean and well-fed. If they are not, the guardians make sure the problem is resolved.
If the client is a legal ward of the court, Judge Swift is alerted. In turn, the judge contacts the legal guardian to assure the problem is corrected.
Some seniors such as Troup contact the program for help, and others are referred to the program through social-service agencies such as Catholic Charities or Trumbull County Job and Family Services' Adult Protection Services.
Rebhan meets with those who need help and matches them with volunteers who have already gone through a training program and had a background check. Most volunteers are 40 to 60 years old.
For the more difficult cases, the Trumbull Advocacy and Protective Network is called for help.
Other sources of help
Rebhan recalled that there was a man who invited her into his home to see his Christmas tree. There were no gift under the tree. Now, First Place Bank provides the gifts for those with no family or friends.
The program has also worked with students from John F. Kennedy High School and Liberty High School who have served as "grandpals."
The students visit nursing homes in an intergenerational effort in which seniors tell them about their life experiences.
One volunteer is Tara Treharn, a 25-year-old law school graduate from Howland.
"I decided to give something back to the community," Treharn said, noting she gives one-on-one help to a senior.
"She probably makes me feel better than I do her," Treharn said. "I have a lot to learn from her."
Rebhan is looking for more volunteers and seniors in need of help. They can contact her at probate court, (330) 675-2521.
yovich@vindy.com