Volunteering
The Area Agency on Aging has many opportunities that will allow you to contribute to the community, bring improvement to the lives of older adults and benefit personally by helping others.
The Agency’s Ombudsman Program is most dependent on volunteers. The role of volunteer ombudsmen is to extend our program presence throughout the region’s long-term care facilities. In many ways, volunteers are our “eyes and ears” in the over two-hundred licensed long-term care facilities. Trained and certified volunteers visit facilities regularly, observe conditions, speak with residents and families, and briefly report activities or situations requiring Ombudsman attention.
Volunteers perform the following for residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities and group homes:
- Visit on a regular basis, on average around six hours a month
- Distribute information on resident rights
- Serve as a liaison and source of referral for resident complaints
- Empower residents to act independently
- Work with facility staff to resolve simple problems
- Complete volunteer activity reports
Other volunteer opportunities within the Agency include:
- Supporting the Agency with office assistance
- Participate in Agency fundraising events
- Recruitment of new volunteers
- Participate in community events such as health fairs
- Speaking at groups about the Agency and older adult issues
Who can volunteer for an Ombudsman position?
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, compassionate and interested in helping others. Volunteer applicants are interviewed, screened to identify conflicts of interest (for example, a person employed in the long-term care industry can not be an Ombudsman volunteer) and agree to have a background check conducted. The volunteer’s job is to ensure the staff of the long-term care facility is accountable to the residents. Volunteers must complete a criminal background check to be eligible.
Volunteer Ombudsman’s Day
Jane Byler, an Ombudsman Volunteer since last March, was visiting her assigned facility and struck up a conversation with Mildred in the television room. Mildred complained about the quality of the food served. She said the lunch meal served the previous day was a tuna casserole, bread and butter and a handful of green peas. She knows that when she came to the facility she specifically noted that she hated, yes hated, fish in all forms. When she asked the server for a replacement meal, it was denied. Jane explained Mildred's right to a substitute meal and offered her help by speaking with the social worker and dietitian. Mildred gave permission for the volunteer to advocate on her behalf. A few minutes later, the social worker appeared. She recognized a problem in the facility’s process for identifying meal preferences and agreed to look into the issue.
At her visit the following week, Jane made it a point to locate Mildred to assure that the problem was resolved. The problem was corrected. Mildred stated that earlier in the week, the menu included fish sticks, and she was served a beef pattie and gravy. Mildred was appreciative of the volunteer’s interest and follow-through. Jane wrote up a brief visit report and submitted it to the office.
Training and Events
Volunteers at the Area Agency on Aging are provided with all the training necessary for success. Speaker’s bureau trainings are available to prepare volunteers for public speaking. Ombudsman volunteer trainings are held every three months. Volunteers completing 12 hours of training receive certification by the Ohio Department of Aging. Six hours of continuing education are required annually. Agency volunteers are recognized at an annual event in December, with a catered meal, prizes, and fun! Contact us to learn more about the benefits and value of volunteering.
Volunteer Tools
- Volunteer Activity Sheet
- To find out more about our volunteering opportunities, please contact the Volunteer Manager at 800.421.7277 ext. 3204. You may also request more information by clicking here.
