ONTARIO – A four-hour commitment each month is all it takes to become an ombudsman associate in the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.
Those who "have a heart for older adults" in the community can sign up for the program to "make a difference during this challenging time," a release from the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging Inc. said
Normally, the program sends a volunteer ombudsman to visit nursing home residents, but those visits are limited by the pandemic.
"(Now,) we are calling residents and their loved ones to check on individuals during the pandemic," the release said. "You will be the first contact most older adults and families will have with the program. ... We hope our volunteers can begin visiting again in the near future as they feel comfortable doing so."
Volunteers will receive 14 hours of training from the regional program and are certified to perform certain duties, including:
- Providing residents with information about the program and Resident Rights.
- Assisting with handling uncomplicated complaints.
- Being a voice for those who are unable to make their voice heard.
- Enhancing the quality of life of nursing home residents.
