Volunteers Needed for Red Cross Ombudsman Program

Event Details

Date(s) & Time(s)::

Daily from October 1, 2012 until October 4, 2012

Location: 786 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14209

Phone: (716) 878-2385

Email: melanie.keem@redcross.org

Link: http://www.buffaloredcross.org

Event Description

September 24, 2012 Updated Sep 24, 2012 at 5:28 PM EDT

BUFFALO, NY, August 20, 2012 - The American Red Cross, Serving Erie and Niagara Counties is currently seeking volunteers for its Ombudsman Program. The Ombudsman Program provides advocacy services responsive to the complaints and problems of residents living in long term care facilities.

An Ombudsman is a dedicated volunteer certified to receive, investigate, and solve complaints made by, or on behalf of, residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and certified housing in the community. Ombudsmen are assigned to a facility on a weekly basis to discuss problems, concerns, or to simply lend an ear when residents have something on their minds. They monitor the quality of care, help protect residents’ rights, provide information to the residents and their families to ensure proper treatment, and encourage residents to express their opinions. Volunteers will experience a wide range of satisfactions as they handle advocacy issues and increase community concern and interest for the institutionalized elderly.

Ombudsmen must be at least 21 years of age with an interest and capacity to fulfill the advocate’s role, as well as having strong verbal and written communication skills. Volunteers will receive a minimum of 36 hours of training, consisting of pre, post, and in-classroom instruction. Volunteers MUST complete all 4-days of in-classroom instruction.

Regularly scheduled training is provided. The next scheduled training program will be held October 1st – October 4th. Prospective Ombudsmen must successfully complete the full 36 hours of training.

Interested parties should contact (716) 878-2385 for more information.

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