What are long-term care ombudsmen volunteers? Ombudsmen are advocates for elders living in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. There are 59 facilities in the 5 northern counties of Idaho and most of them are right here in Kootenai County.

There is still time to sign up for the volunteer training starting Sept. 7. Learn how to observe the environment so it's a safe place for residents. Learn how to follow through on residents' complaints to make their lives better. Brighten the day for lonely elders who have few if any visitors. Promote good care for residents who are afraid or unable to speak up for themselves.

There are facilities that really care about their residents, hire trained and responsible workers, and put the residents before staff convenience and the bottom line. But, unfortunately, there are facilities that cut corners, hire minimum staff to do the work, lack quality food, and provide less than quality care. That's why there's an Ombudsman Program and why it needs trained volunteers to advocate for the residents.

Ombudsmen are assigned to facilities to provide voices for the residents who are often frail, confused, or afraid to voice their concerns or complaints. Some common problems are inadequate or poor care, not following the care plan, too little staff, dignity issues, slow response to call lights, poor food, and not enough meaningful activities.

In most facilities many residents are dependent on staff to meet their needs. Many do not have family or regular visitors who advocate for them. That's when the ombudsman steps in to observe interactions between staff and residents, to see that resident rights are being honored, that their quality of care is good.

Make a difference in the lives of vulnerable elders. Being a long-term care ombudsman volunteer may be one of the best things you ever do. The training is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday for seven weeks, Sept. 7 through Oct. 19 at the Area Agency on Aging in Coeur d'Alene.

For more information or to sign up for the training contact: Jan Noyes, Volunteer Ombudsman Coordinator, at (208) 667-3179 ext. 243 or email [email protected].