PRESS: Thanks on behalf of elderly

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program has 13 new trainees, thanks to the unfailing support of The Press and, particularly, Editor Mike Patrick. As Volunteer Ombudsman Coordinator for the Area Agency of Aging of North Idaho, it's my responsibility to recruit and train the new volunteers. For the past four years, I have contacted Mike asking to print a series of articles as enticements to prospective volunteers. The readers of The Press have been our primary source of volunteers.

At the end of this September training, the Ombudsman Program will have a total of 29 volunteers, called assistant ombudsmen. Thoroughbreds all, committed to advocating for the vulnerable elders who reside in assisted-living and skilled-nursing facilities. The need for advocates is great as the number of facilities continues to grow and the population grows older.

When the next training is being planned for the fall of 2012, I will again contact Mike and ask to have new articles printed. With the support of The Press and Mike Patrick, this program will continue to attract the volunteers to do this valuable job.

JAN NOYES

Coeur d'Alene