The Allegheny County Ombudsman Program is currently looking for dedicated and compassionate volunteers who want to make a difference in the lives of long-term care residents. Residents of long-term care facilities sometimes have little or no contact with the outside world and many feel very alone. A friendly volunteer who visits regularly can be a bright spot in an elderly resident’s day. Volunteers are also trained and state certified to resolve issues related to rights and quality of care, and can make a direct impact on the quality of life of individual residents.
Volunteering with the Ombudsman Program does not require any special skills. Anyone age 18 or older who has available transportation can volunteer. The most important requirements are compassion, a positive attitude, the ability to communicate effectively, a respect for older adults and available time. The Ombudsman Program will provide training and supervision for additional specific skills.
Ombudsman volunteers benefit from honing their skills in communication, listening, relationship building, complaint resolution, and many more. Additionally, the volunteers often express that they benefit through the joy of making a difference in the lives of residents through the development of interpersonal skills and through preparation for their own aging.
Rita Valdrini-Morasco is one such person who volunteered with the Ombudsman Program from 2009 until her recent retirement in 2023.
“I wanted to make a difference at a grassroots level and that is why I decided to volunteer as an ombudsman,” Rita explains. “I found great satisfaction in being of assistance in all types of situations—from seeking a nurse to answer a call light or helping to modify facility policy in denying soda to residents whose few joys in life include what they eat and drink each day, to helping a resident file a criminal complaint for theft of property. It amazes and humbles me to think how simple actions on my part can made a world of difference to someone who was ill or recovering. Sometimes I wondered who was benefitting more from my efforts: the resident or me.”
Ombudsman volunteers are a critical component of the Allegheny County Ombudsman Program, and more volunteers are needed. If you are looking for an opportunity to make a difference in others’ lives, reach out to the Allegheny County Ombudsman Program for additional information and consider becoming a volunteer.
To learn more about the DHS/AAA Ombudsman Program or to volunteer, call (412) 350-5044.