Volunteers Needed for Long-term Care Ombudsman Program
Volunteers needed for Long-term care ombudsman Program
The program, which is co-sponsored by the Nebraska State Ombudsman Program, is specifically to visit residents living in the nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout Douglas, Sarpy, Washington, Cass, and Dodge counties. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old.
ENOA’s Long-term Care Ombudsmen volunteer in local long-term care facilities and assisted living communities to protect the residents’ rights, well-being, and quality of life.
Long-term Care Ombudsmen must complete 20 hours of initial classroom training scheduled on February 14, February 17, and February 20, 2022 and 18 hours of additional training every year. During the training, the volunteers learn about the residents’ rights, aging issues, Medicare, Medicaid, communication skills, how to investigate the residents’ complaints, the importance of confidentiality, and about the federal and state rules, regulations, and laws regarding Nebraska’s long-term care facilities and assisted living communities.
Before being assigned to a long-term care facility or an assisted living community, new volunteers will make four visits to a site with an experienced Ombudsman Advocate to learn more about what the program entails. After a three-month probationary period, the new volunteers are certified as Ombudsman Advocates.
Certified Ombudsman Advocates will be assigned to their facility throughout the area where they will visit for two hours a week to meet with administrators, residents, and the residents’ family members to address concerns. For more information about ENOA’s Long-term Care Ombudsman Program, please call Sharon at 402-561-2202.
