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AUGUSTA — The Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is seeking volunteers willing to serve as ombudsman representatives — advocates who provide a voice for the concerns of long-term care residents living in a nursing home, residential care or assisted living facility.
Judy White has been a volunteer ombudsman representative for six years, speaking up for residents in nursing homes, residential care and assisted living as well as working in the ombudsman office filling in for staff.
White is passionate about her volunteer work for the program, stating: “I feel very strongly that this segment of society has worked so hard in their lives and deserve our utmost respect; if there is anything we can do for them, even a simple task, then we should.”
Some volunteer activities include:
* Visiting residents in long-term care settings (nursing home, residential care, assisted living). * Educating residents and staff about resident rights.
* Engaging in conversation with residents to learn about problems or concerns.
* Seeking resident permission to address problems or concerns regarding quality of life.
* Realizing the additional opportunity to become an in-service trainer to provide education on resident rights and mandatory reporting to staff in nursing homes, residential care and assisted living.
Volunteer Ombudsman Representatives ensure:
* All long-term care residents have the highest quality of life.
* Each resident is able to fully exercise his or her rights as a resident of a long-term care home.
* Staff fully respects the choices, values and dignity of each individual.
Steps to becoming a volunteer ombudsman representative:
* Complete application.
* Submission of conflict of interest form and proof of vehicle insurance.
* In-person interview with volunteer program manager
* Background check.
* Shadow visit with long-standing volunteer.
* Two-day training session with volunteer program manager.
* One-year commitment to the program.
Learn more about becoming a volunteer ombudsman representative in your local area by contacting program manager Nicole Fish at 800-499-0229 or 207-621-1079; nfish@maineombudsman.org; or visit www.maineombudsman.org/.
PHOTO: Judy White (Submitted photo)
