Do you want to do something important?

I won’t beat around the bush. Have you thought about volunteering but aren’t sure what you want to do? The Volunteer Ombudsman Program needs caring and concerned volunteers, both men and women, to advocate for residents living in long-term care. How about you?

That means being the voice for vulnerable elders who either don’t or can’t speak for themselves, or whose voices aren’t listened to. It means visiting a facility, getting to know the residents, observing the environment, and problem-solving for the residents. It means being a positive force for resident rights, quality of care, and quality of life. Being a volunteer ombudsman is important.

Making the transition to living in long-term care can be highly stressful. It’s a dramatic life change that no one is prepared for. Some facilities make a real effort to meet individual needs and wants, but others are more concerned with the bottom line and their own convenience. Ombudsmen put the needs and wants of the residents first. We have the Older Americans Act behind us, giving us leverage in what we can do.

When we solve a problem, either a complaint from a resident, a family member, or from our own observation, it’s a good feeling. One of my most memorable stories that made me feel like a million bucks was getting Betsy’s bath schedule changed.

Betsy was in her late 90s, tiny, and thin as a twig. She was lying in her bed when I visited her, with the covers pulled up tight under her chin. She got cold easily and spent much of her time bundled up. We chatted for a while and she said she had no complaints, but when I got up to leave, she said, “Well, there is one thing.”

Betsy had always taken showers and, since moving to the facility, was taking tub baths. She thought she had to do what the facility said, and didn’t want to complain, so she endured the early morning bath schedule, the fear of drowning, and the coldness when she stepped out of the tub. I immediately talked to the nurse, who changed Betsy to a later shower schedule and promised to have the towels warmed. Betsy was delighted and I felt wonderful.

Whether a care, food, activity, cleanliness, or dignity issue, the ombudsman addresses it. Some problems are more difficult than others, but we take them all seriously. The residents, and often their families, know they can count on us. Join us and make a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable residents of long-term care.

“But how will I know what to do or say?” you may be thinking. You will know, once you’ve completed the training. The training is coming up soon, on Tuesdays from Sept. 12 through Oct. 24, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., here at the Area Agency on Aging.

If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Jan Noyes, Volunteer Ombudsman coordinator, at (208) 667-3179 or jnoyes@aaani.org.