Senior Services seeking volunteers
SPRINGFIELD Greater Springfield Senior Services is seeking caring individuals to serve as volunteer advocates for residents of nursing homes and rest homes though its long term care ombudsman program. Ombudsmen visit with residents once a week to listen to their concerns and address issues affecting the quality of their care. They investigate complaints made by residents or family members and work with the facility to resolve them.
Free training and certification are provided. For more information, contact the long-term care program director at 781-8806 ext.142.
According to program director Deborah Rothschild, "ombudsmen work with facility staff to prevent small problems from becoming crises. In most instances, the ombudsman is able to resolve a problem at its origin. It's interesting work and greatly rewarding."
The long term care ombudsman program is a state and federal mandated service for all residents in area nursing homes to ensure that their personal rights are respected and they receive treatment in clean, comfortable environments.
Ombudsmen are trained and certified through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Training topics include legal rights of residents, conflict resolution skills, physiological aspects of aging and long term care regulations.
Greater Springfield Senior Services is a nonprofit organization established in 1972 to provide a variety of in-home and community-based services for older adults and their caregivers.
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