Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program seeks volunteers

May 27, 2003

Bismarck, N.D. - The North Dakota Department of Human Services' Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is seeking volunteer community ombudsmen to visit residents in area nursing homes, swing bed facilities, or assisted living facilities. Training for volunteers will be provided June 3, 2003, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (MST) at Badlands Human Service Center, 200 Pulver Hall on the campus of Dickinson State University.

"We are looking for people who like to contribute to their communities and have the time to visit people living in long-term care facilities. These volunteers are required to regularly visit residents in assigned facilities, where they act as impartial fact-finders and mediators to resolve concerns. Many complaints, such as laundry issues, can be resolved quickly. Some concerns are forwarded to program officials in the Department of Human Services," explained State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Helen Funk.

There are currently over 70 volunteer community ombudsmen in North Dakota working to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of residents in long-term care facilities. For information about the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and the training, call Mark Jesser at (888) 227-7525 or (701) 227-7557.

Contacts:

Helen Funk, State Ombudsman, North Dakota Department of Human Services, Aging Services Division, (701) 328-8906, or
Mark Jesser, Regional Aging Services Program Administrator, Badlands Human Service Center, (701) 227-7557, or
Heather Steffl, Public Information Officer, North Dakota Department of Human Services, (701) 328-4933

 

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