Deschutes County Long Term Care staff is offering training for volunteers to become Ombudsmen in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.
Deschutes County, and Bend specifically, are in desperate need for Long-Term Care Ombudsman. There are 29 facilities (not including adult foster care homes) in Bend, and only 15 of those facilities are covered by a volunteer Ombudsman. This leaves a substantial amount of people vulnerable and underserved.
Natascha Cronin of the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman will train local people to become advocates in their community. Volunteer Certified Ombudsman provide a voice for Oregonians living in nursing homes, assisted and residential living, and adult foster home facilities. They serve as the voice of the resident, working to make the system responsive to their needs and wishes. To do that, they investigate the resident's concerns and then work with facility staff and/or others, as appropriate, until these concerns have been resolved. The services provided are free and confidential for the resident. There is no cost for the training. Once trained, volunteers are asked to give 4-hours per week including meetings, reporting, visiting the facility, and helping to resolve issues.
We are offering a training in Bend on June 5, 6, 19, 20, and 26, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
What an important way to serve our community and help those in long term care. Contact Natasha Cronin 800-522-2602