Image via WikipediaBy Anne KallasRika Vanriemsdijk, 88, was sitting alone in her room at Ventura Convalescent Hospital when Santa Claus stopped by Friday with some helpers from the Long Term Care Services of Ventura County Ombudsman’s Office.
They were handing out homemade crocheted blankets, little stuffed seals and singing Christmas carols. “They came just in time. I’m here all by myself. I’m not used to being alone. I used to be with my family. I need somebody to come in and just open a window, so I can see out,” Vanriemsdijk said, adding the visit from Santa was exactly what she needed. “If that’s not a blessing, I don’t know what is.”
Operation Senior Santa is a program of the Ombudsman’s Office, which is an “advocate for all seniors who live in nursing homes, board and care and assisted living facilities,” Executive Director Sylvia Taylor-Stein said. “Our mission is to ensure the highest level of care and investigate problems. We are a voice for the residents.”
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