Long Term Care Ombudsman

Bristol Elder Services (Bristol) is looking for volunteers for its Long Term Care Ombudsman program. An Ombudsman volunteer acts as an advocate for residents living in facilities such as nursing homes or rest homes. Ombudsmen offer a way for residents and their loved ones to voice their complaints and have their concerns addressed so that residents can live their lives with dignity and respect.

The program’s goals are to improve residents’ quality of care, life, and environment; to advocate for the protection of their rights; and to provide information about long term care issues affecting nursing and rest home residents in the greater Attleboro, Fall River, and Taunton areas.

Ombudsman volunteers receive training and support from Bristol. Margaret Pilkington, Program Manager of Bristol’s Ombudsman Program, explains that volunteers advocate for residents’ rights, working at the direction of the resident. She states that "It all begins by completing an application and meeting to talk about the Ombudsman role. After that, there is classroom training, and then hands on experience." Volunteers meet once a month to talk over their experiences, learn new information, and spend some time just catching up.