|
|
|
|
||
|
||
|
|
||
| SEARCH | SUBSCRIBE | ||
Support Global Action on Aging!
Thanks! |
 |
Smiles
and tears of joy greeted volunteer flower delivery people last May when 18
volunteers drove all over Mendocino and Lake counties. Bringing bouquets
of donated fresh flowers to every skilled nursing resident brought a sense
of deep satisfaction to those who worked on the project. Vance
Olsted, executive director of People for People, Inc., the corporate
sponsor of the Ombudsman program couldn't use enough positive adjectives
to describe how happy the flowers made the recipients. "We
were able to get donations of flowers, vases, as well as sponsors for this
great event," explained Olsted. "Board members, volunteer
Ombudsman and other volunteers were all part of the project. This year we
again seek flowers, funding and vases. "What
makes this project unique is that while lots of fund-raisers make money
for the program, this fund-raiser gives something tangible and beautiful
directly to the residents of long term care rather than just the services
as a by product of the donations." According
to Ombudsman materials, more than half of all residents in long-term care
facilities have no living relatives and no regular visitors. It can be a
lonely existence. The
first Saturday in May was chosen for delivery date because it's the
Saturday before Mother's Day, and a majority of the long-term care
residents are women. Wanda Mannon, a member of Ombudsman board of
directors, headed up the first of what is hoped to be annual events. It
was her idea (which she discovered in another county). Mary Wirt and three
other volunteers delivered 80 bouquets on the coast. A total of 275
bouquets were delivered over both counties. All
the volunteers were pleased about contributing something back to the
people so often forgotten. One
volunteer expressed, "The flowers we collected were so beautiful and
brightened the lives of so many long-term care residents. We really need
people to donate flowers how about those old vases they have sitting
around? In addition, people can sponsor bouquets by purchasing' one or
more. Many people last year sponsored bouquets in memory of loved ones,
especially Moms, since this is the Saturday before Mother's Day." For
more information about the local Long-Term Care Ombudsman for Senior Care,
or this project, call 468-5882 or (800) 997-3675. Bouquet sponsorship
begins with a bronze sponsor of a donation amount of your choice. Silver
is a $100 donation; gold is a $250 donation; platinum is a $500 donation,
and diamond is a $1,000 donation. Checks should be made payable to People
for People. If the donation is in memory of someone, please indicate that,
and if you want an acknowledgement sent, please list the name and address
for the acknowledgement. The
Ombudsman is required by both federal and state law to visit every long
term care facility and advocate for the care and rights of each resident. Ombudsman
work with local Area Agencies on Aging, councils on aging, care home
administrators, licensing authorities, law enforcement, legal services,
the Public Guardian, and Adult Protective Services. Each
resident has basic rights spelled out in the law. It is not what others
want, but what the resident wants that counts. The Ombudsman is obligated
to advocate for the expressed wishes of the resident. According
to Olsted, there are currently two volunteer Ombudsman serving both
counties. Volunteers receive 36 initial hours of training and 12
continuing hours of training annually. Last year, Lake and Mendocino
counties certified Ombudsman investigated more than 1,800 complaints. Ombudsman
advocate for the resident in problems with insurance, rights,
entitlements, care, legal matters and other areas. Additionally, Ombudsman
provide information to families, friends and prospective long-term care
residents. By law, Ombudsman must maintain all matters in strict
confidence, speaking to others only with permission from the resident. The
services of Ombudsman are free. Contributions and donations to Ombudsman
are welcome and are tax deductible. Copyright
© 2002 Global Action on Aging |
