Help Improve the Quality of Life for Nursing Home Residents

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Many AARP members know personally about the challenges faced when a parent or spouse becomes a nursing home resident. It’s a learning process to know what services to expect, how to resolve problems and who to turn to when a situation doesn’t improve.

You can help nursing home residents and their families understand their rights and enhance their quality of life.

Consider becoming a Volunteer Ombudsman. Ombudsman Volunteers visit their assigned nursing home twice a month (or more), observing conditions, advocating for residents and resolving uncomplicated complaints.

Ombudsman Volunteers receive training provided by the Ohio Department of Aging in preparation for their assignment. Each volunteer has a staff supervisor to provide assistance and answer questions.

AARP Ohio is working with the Ohio Department of Aging to help them achieve their goal of one Volunteer Ombudsman in each of the approximately 1,000 nursing homes in Ohio. More than half are still unrepresented.

If you think you would like to become an ombudsman or would like information, please email us at OHvolunteers@aarp.org. We’ll send you more details and an application packet.

Other Resources
Ohio Department of Aging
http://www.goldenbuckeye.com

Eldercare Locator
http://www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare/Public/Home.asp

Navigating the World of Caregiving
http://assets.aarp.org/external_sites/caregiving/