HAPPY FALL! WE ARE BACK AGAIN to give you information about Ombudsmen, volunteering, and longterm care. For this month, we were thinking that you might be curious how a typical visit between a resident in a nursing home and one of our volunteers might go. You’re in luck! We have included a little vignette of what that conversation with Mrs. Smith might look like:
Mrs. Smith is a resident of Strong Oaks Care Center. She doesn’t know how long she’s been there and doesn’t get many visitors. Today she met with someone who said they were an Ombudsman making an advocacy visit. The Ombudsman asked permission to visit with her, and she told them she never turns down company. The Ombudsman and Mrs. Smith chatted for a little while, and she told them she has three living children, all of whom reside out of town, and one granddaughter who comes to visit her on the weekend. Mrs. Smith told the Ombudsman that she really didn’t want to stay at this nursing home, but her family decided she shouldn’t go home alone right now. She said she will give it a little time to see if she likes it there or wants to eventually go home. Right now, Mrs. Smith is in therapy to help her walk better. The Ombudsman listened to her talk and, at the end of the conversation, told her about her rights and gave her a pamphlet with the Ombudsman office phone number. She doesn’t know if she will call, but if she has any trouble and needs help advocating for herself, she thinks she will. She is hoping to see the Ombudsman again. They said they visit every couple of weeks and would visit her again some time.
Granted, not all residents want to talk, and some may have really serious problems they need help with. However, one thing all of our volunteers can do, regardless of the problem that might be presented, is to listen. It is important as a volunteer to listen and take time with residents and consumers because during the day, they may not have many other people who they interact with in a meaningful way. Staff are busy, families are busy, so the bare minimum we can do as Ombudsmen is to listen and validate the experiences of consumers. In doing so, we can create a rapport that opens up a communication that can include educating consumers about their rights and empowering them with the knowledge to advocate for themselves or know when to ask for help. Become a Certified Ombudsman Associate and volunteer with us to make visits like this possible. Our regional team serves 17 counties in Ohio and provides services free of charge. Our work would not be possible without our team of certified volunteers.
Ombudsman volunteers serve a particularly important role in residents’ lives. Our volunteers visit with residents regularly and assist as needed to advocate on their behalf. Through advocacy, our volunteers help ensure resident rights are respected and quality care is expected. For more information about receiving services or volunteering with our program, please call 419-259-2891.
Lori Davis is Region 4 Volunteer Coordinator for the Ombudsman office. ✲
