Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
WANTED: VOLUNTEERS WHO WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
NURSING HOME OMBUDSMEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
You must be willing to spend five to ten hours per month advocating for patients, or residents, as they live their lives with dignity and respect at a nursing facility or rehabilitation center. You’ll also work with the residents and facility staff to resolve concerns about residents’ rights and their quality of care and life.
Long Term Care Ombudsman Program volunteers receive extensive training, certification, and supervision. A one-year commitment is necessary to volunteer for this program. For information on the next local three-day training class for the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, scheduled for September 2009, please call SeniorCare mornings at 1-866-927-1050 (toll free), or 978-281-1750, extension 336.
The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is mandated by the Older Americans Act, and is designed to protect residents of licensed long-term care facilities, and insure that they receive the rights and benefits to which they are entitled.
Ombudsmen are trained volunteers with whom residents of long-term care facilities, or their families, can speak confidentially about matters of concern. Residents can discuss their quality of care, conflicts with staff, financial matters, food preferences, facility policies, and other issues. Ombudsmen advocate on behalf of residents and their families, mediate solutions to various problems, and monitor care and conditions in facilities. They maintain a presence in facilities to insure that the rights of those residents who cannot speak for themselves are protected.