Senior ombudsman volunteer training offered
Training to become a Certified Ombudsman Volunteer will be held beginning September 11 in the Bend area. This is a State of Oregon volunteer program designed to assist the Deputy Ombudsmen in Salem in investigating and monitoring complaints of seniors living in long-term care.
Long-Term Care Ombudsmen advocate for senior citizens who are living in long term care facilities, are appointed by the State Ombudsman and are trained to educate, investigate, and advocate and learn to be a “problem solver.”
There are five days of training involved in this volunteer position, held over the course of three weeks. Mileage reimbursement is available for those who qualify.
There are openings for six volunteers in Deschutes County, including Redmond and La Pine. There is an interview and screening process, so applications should be submitted no later than September 4.
The Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is an agency of the State of Oregon, dedicated to protecting the rights, safety and dignity of the residents of nursing homes, residential care facilities, assisted living facilities and adult foster care homes. To report a concern about a long-term care facility, call 1-800-522-2602, visit www.oregon.gov/LTCO or email us at LTCO.contact@ltco.state.or.us.
Volunteers are a vital part of the Ombudsman program and provide an important local presence to protect the rights and dignity of elders in Long-Term Care. In 2011, our program was the recipient of the Governors’ Volunteer Award for Outstanding Statewide Volunteer Program. Call Gretchen Jordan, Coordinator of Volunteers, at 1-800-522-2602 to apply or visit www.oregon.gov/LTCO to download an application or for more information on becoming a Certified Ombudsman volunteer.
