Volunteer

Interested in becoming a Long-Term Care Ombudsman?

Volunteers are essential to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. As a volunteer, you will receive training, certification, and continuing education opportunities. Volunteers are required to participate in several training sessions before becoming an Ombudsman.

Volunteers carry out several duties, including:

• Informing residents and families of their rights;
• Working to resolve uncomplicated complaints;
• Providing community contact for residents; and
• Working to empower residents and families to advocate for themselves.

In 1978, The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program was mandated by the Older Americans Act to serve as a visible advocate for the elderly. Long-Term Care Ombudsmen advocate for resident rights and quality care, and provide education to empower long-term care recipients. Volunteers are essential to Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman services. They extend the capacity of the program by establishing a presence in the nursing home facilities in northwest Ohio.

Volunteer Ombudsmen are trained before entering a facility. They receive certification by the State of Ohio following a 12-hour initial training and a Bureau of Criminal Investigation check. This training is designed to assist participants in becoming effective advocates for nursing home residents. Once certified, volunteers are expected to contribute a minimum of four hours each month at an assigned facility.

Approximately 9,000 individuals reside in the 100 nursing homes located in the program's 10-county service area that include Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Sandusky, Williams, and Wood counties.

For more information, or if you are interested in volunteering for this program, please contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Volunteer Coordinator:

• Phone: (419) 259-2891 or 
• (800) 542-1874
• E-mail: volunteer@ablelaw.org

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and currently not employed as a long-term care provider.