San Bernardino Sun

October 26, 2011

A need for care

By Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO - In a worn down, darkened house behind a shuttered tailor shop, Don Sinisi is living out his days alone, except for the occasional company of a couple of faithful friends.

Sinisi is a 70-year-old Italian immigrant who came to the country decades ago to build a tailoring business with his able hands and an expert eye for sharp lines.

It's been more than two years since he suffered a stroke, losing some of his mobility and eventually his beloved business.

Now he struggles to string together the soft and accented words that describe his world near the rugged intersection of Base Line and North Sierra Way.

"It's not too good, you know? It's not too easy for me to do anything," he said.

Sinisi is among the estimated 11.9 percent - more than 24,700 - of residents here who live with a disability, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 American Community Survey.

They range from mental disabilities to physical impairments such as blindness and paralysis.

Disability rights advocates fear that with more state funding expected to end in December, folks like Sinisi will continue to lack the care they need, be it adult day health care or in-home support services.

"I think it is true that there will be more people trying to live in their homes and not being safe, or having to leave their homes and go to nursing homes and emergency rooms in hospitals," said Deborah Doctor, legislative advocate for the State legislators earlier this year cut adult day health care as an optional Medi-Cal benefit to save millions and help close the budget deficit.

In San Bernardino County, 430 adults attend day health care programs funded by Medi-Cal. Another 244 receive in-home supportive services through the county's Department of Aging and Adult Services.

In the case of Sinisi, who also has diabetes, friends come by to help him check his sugar levels and make sure his basic needs are met.

Bill Galloway is a 77-year- old former customer of Sinisi's who visits him at least once a week.

"He used to do my clothes for years and I got attached to him because he was such an excellent tailor," Galloway said. "He really needs a caregiver or a place where he can be monitored."

Sinisi has forgotten the name of a nurse who used to visit him, and few facilities are affordable, because he scrapes by on meager disability checks from the government.

"That's not too good," Sinisi said. "I've got to go tell them for more money."

Sinisi at one time refused to sell his property to interested buyers. He regrets the decision.

"Before, everybody wanted this place," he said, looking around his home, gesturing in frustration. "Now, nobody wants."

Galloway spent time with Sinisi on Monday afternoon.

The gray light of day filled a crooked kitchen window, and Galloway made room at a table littered with old ledger sheets, a diabetes kit and bags of medication.

Looking long at his old friend and tailor, Galloway shook his head:

"He doesn't really need to be alone."

josh.dulaney@inlandnewspapers.com