Do you enjoy visiting and have a couple of extra hours a week? The Southwestern Area Ombudsman Program is looking for new volunteers.
The Ombudsman Program is set up to meet the needs of residents in long-term care and to make sure all residents’ rights are protected. Ombudsmen receive complaints from residents or their friends or their relatives and attempts to resolve those complaints within the facility. Ombudsmen have authority to explore and investigate complaints and to recommend corrective action. One of the goals of this program is to have volunteers that can assist with this program.
To be a volunteer in the Ombudsman program you must have the following: Have a concern about older people and their needs and the ability to see each resident as an individual.
Be able to work with many types of people without being judgmental.
Be responsible and willing and able to follow problems to their conclusion.
Be able to accept training and supervision.
Be able to spend at least two hours per week at your assigned facility and be free of any conflicts of interest.
Training in problem solving, communication, the aging process and long-term care facility regulations is provided through the Ombudsman Program.
If you are interested or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Cherrie Nutley, Long-Term Care Ombudsman supervisor of Southwestern OK, at 580562-5032.
