"CERTIFIED OMBUDSMAN" SOUNDS IMPORTANT, AND IT IS

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It is important to the thousands of people who live in nursing homes, assisted living or residential care facilities and adult foster homes in our state. Volunteer "Certified Ombudsmen" advocate for facility residents as a free and confidential service. They work to ensure residents’ rights, to protect their dignity and safety, and to prevent neglect, abuse and other care problems.

To teach you to be an effective advocate, the Oregon Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman provides an initial 6-day training program as well as ongoing professional supervision and education to maximize your competence. You learn to identify problems and to investigate and resolve complaints made by and for residents.

An advocate needs to be part observer, investigator, communicator, defender and problem-solver; but--most important--you need a caring heart and the desire to protect the safety and wellbeing of seniors and others in long-term care. A Certified Ombudsman must be at least 21 and able to volunteer a minimum of 16 hours per month for at least one year to this much-needed service.

If this sounds like you, here is your chance to hone your observational, problem-solving and people skills. Additional rewards include the gratitude of facility residents and their families plus knowing that you are defending some of our most vulnerable citizens. You can make a real difference! For more information, email ltcovolunteers@gmail.com to contact an experienced Certified Ombudsman, or call 1-800-522-2602 or check on line at www.oregon.gov/LTCOfor application forms.