After retiring from her 30-plus-year career at a blood bank, Pat Irland wanted her retirement to center around giving back to her community, just like her career had.
So in 2019, she began volunteering with the Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, where Irland works on the front lines to advocate for the rights and well-being of residents of nursing homes, adult family homes and assisted-living facilities.
“I wanted to do something that was challenging and stretched me out of my comfort zone,” said Irland. “This work really makes you feel empowered to go and do your job, and I feel good about myself and retirement.”
The ombudsman program is seeking new volunteers to advocate for the more than 6,000 residents in the Southwest Washington region. The ombudsman program is hosting a virtual open house for interested volunteers from noon to 1 p.m. April 27. Register for the event at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqdeivrzwqGtH4j5zy9UWwIx5Px1Ht6IAj#/registration.
Those interested after the open house can apply for their 36 required volunteer trainings.
Ombudsman volunteers are trained in issues ranging from aging, mental health, dementia and disability care. The certification training, provided at no cost, covers licensing regulations, complaint investigation, advocacy, ombudsman ethics and the legal rights of residents. Volunteers and staff also meet monthly for continued training and support.
Ombuds assess how residents are doing and ensuring their rights are respected. Irland and Neil Degerstedt, regional long-term care ombudsman, said that volunteers provide clients with any basic necessities to advocate for their human rights and residents’ wishes.
“We are low-level problem solvers. We come into a home, and if there’s a problem and a resident directs us to take action with it, then we’re certainly going to do so,” said Degerstedt. “A resident that has diabetes but they’re not getting that extra slice of chocolate cake — they have the right to have that. If they’re a smoker, they have a right to go outside if they choose to do so. Same with medications. Our job is to ensure that their rights are protected and upheld.”
Volunteers will sometimes visit with the residents to catch up, as some don’t have family or friends to do so.
The volunteer program is flexible, said Degerstedt. Volunteers make their own schedule and volunteer on average four hours per week. Volunteers do not have to have a background in social services.
“For anyone that has a heart for older or vulnerable adults, it’s an ideal program, because when you go into these homes, they look forward to your visits and when they see you their eyes twinkle because they truly appreciate a volunteer giving of themselves and their time freely — that’s the connection you can’t beat,” said Degerstedt.
To learn more
People interested in learning more about the Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program can also visit www.waombudsman.org or call 1-800-562-6028.
