Trained and certified volunteers help long-term care facility residents in many ways:

Resolving Problems

Volunteer Ombudsmen visit nursing homes, boarding homes and adult family homes to talk with residents and their families, visitors, and facility staff. The program's goal is to try to resolve complaints and care concerns at the lowest level before problems escalate to where state agencies need to be involved.

Empowerment

Volunteer Ombudsmen give voice to residents who are not able to voice their concerns and educate those residents who can speak for themselves on how to exercise their rights.

Advocacy

Volunteer Ombudsmen advocate through resident and family councils and by addressing systems issues at long-term facilities.

Community Involvement

Volunteer Ombudsmen visit facilities in their neighborhood. Many studies show that community involvement in facilities improves resident care.