Long Term Care Ombudsman Volunteer: Advocate

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Becoming a volunteer Ombudsman requires online training as well as in-person shadowing provided by the Ombudsman program at no cost to the volunteer. After the initial training volunteers are required to receive 18 hours of continuing education credits each year so that you can continuously go into nursing facilities, personal care facilities, assisted living facilities, and DOM care homes. During these monthly visits, an Ombudsman volunteer can provide information and resources to residents on their rights as well as assist residents with any complaints that they might have while living in the facility. The Ombudsman program is a resident directed program so although Ombudsman do work with staff at these facilities you will always be referring to the resident to see how they want to proceed. The program works to try to make these facilities into the best homes that they can be for the residents who are living in them. Ombudsman volunteers often use technology to complete their documentation which is provided at no cost to the volunteer. If you are dedicated, organized, and have strong communication skills becoming an Ombudsman volunteer might be for you. For more information, contact the Ombudsman at Active Aging, Inc. 814-336-1792 or 1-800-321-7705.