Long-term care residents need you

Nursing homes and assisted-living facilities are home to hundreds of thousands of people across the country that can no longer safely live at home due to frailty, mental or physical disability, or illness. North Idaho has its share of long-term care facilities and more are on the drawing board. As our population grows, so does the need for good facilities and good care.

Residents need our help-voices to speak for them. Many facilities are resident-centered and have the well-being of the residents as a first priority. Others are more concerned with the bottom-line and what is convenient for the facility. Residents need concerned and compassionate advocates to make sure their rights are respected and honored.

Ombudsmen are advocates for the rights of residents of nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. An ombudsman advocates for residents’ rights, quality of care and quality of life. He or she makes friendly visits to facilities, observes the environment and helps solve residents’ issues and complaints.

A new volunteer ombudsman training begins in September in Coeur d’Alene. You are needed. You can make a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable adults living in long-term care facilities. You can be a voice for those who need someone to speak for them.

For more information please call me at (208) 667-3179 or (toll-free) 800-786-5536; or contact me by e-mail at jnoyesaaani.org.

JAN NOYES

Volunteer ombudsman coordinator

Area Agency on Aging

Coeur d’Alene