Specialized Information for:

Nursing HomesAssisted Living/Board & Care Home and Community Based Services

Ombudsman Volunteer Opportunities

Additional information about becoming a volunteer is available here.

To volunteer, contact the ombudsman program nearest you.  When you click on the link, it will bring you to a map of the United States. Click on your state. This will display a list that includes your state long-term care ombudsman and the local and regional programs.

Do you have volunteer opportunities available? E-mail NORC at ombudcenter@theconsumervoice.org. Below is a list of states that have reached out to NORC to advertise available volunteer positions.

 

Arizona


 

Arizona

Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens is seeking individuals interested in becoming long-term care Ombudsman volunteers.

Have you ever had a loved one reside in a nursing home or assisted living facility? Then, you know how much a visit can mean!

Ombudsmen enrich the lives of Long-Term Care residents. These volunteers receive specialized training to advocate for and empower residents of long-term care facilities so they may live with the dignity and respect they deserve.  The

Ombudsman volunteer program is vital to ensuring the quality of care that residents receive. 

If you can commit to spending a few hours per week visiting your assigned facility, we will provide the necessary training to become a Certified Ombudsman Volunteer and make a true difference in the lives of your fellow community members.  

For more information, call Shauna Nunes (520) 836-2758 or email: shaunan@pgcsc.org.  

Hide text

Idaho


 

Idaho

SICOG Area Agency on Aging Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

The SICOG Area Agency on Aging Long-term Care Ombudsman program of Idaho Region V Ombudsmen and Volunteers work to enhance the quality of life and services for residents living in long-term care facilities.

Volunteers are needed to conduct regular visits in their area to support, empower, and observe while in facilities visiting. Minimum requirements volunteers need to be compassionate, respect for older and disabled individuals, and be willing to become certified. Ombudsman program provides training and supervision in developing specific skills.

Volunteers will become certified to best meet the needs of resident’s rights, concerns, and privacy.

What does a Certified Ombudsman Volunteer do?

  • Promotes and advocates for the well-being and quality of life for residents in long-term facilities through regular visits
  • Identify, respond, and work to resolve problems or complaints of long-term care residents
  • Provide education about resident rights and person-centered principles
  • Educate and inform residents and the community about the Ombudsman program
  • Provide support for the development of resident and family councils
  • Assist with addressing improper transfer and/or discharge of residents

Many volunteers benefit by supporting and empowering residents to find their voice and making a difference in many residents’ lives. Volunteers also building upon their own unique skill set while building relationships and learning new skills.

 

Hide text

Massachusetts


 

Massachusetts

Worcester County

Volunteer Ombudsman

Montachusett Home Care Corporation is looking for people who have genuine care, concern, and compassion for the elderly and disabled. A positive attitude, excellent communication & listening skills, and availability, are necessary.

An Ombudsman visits nursing homes and long-term care facilities on a regular basis, listens to resident concerns, mediates and solves problems, reports observations, and advocates for resident rights.

All ombudsman must be certified (3-day program) prior to fieldwork, attend a mandatory monthly meeting, and be available for weekly facility visits. If you are interested, please call Geralyn Bailey, Program Director at (508) 756-1545, extension 455 for further information.

Montachusett Home Care Corporation (MHCC) is a private non-profit agency incorporated in 1974 and is the Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) for 21 towns in North-Central Massachusetts. Our Goal is to maximize the independence and self-determination of elderly and disabled individuals by providing comprehensive information, advocacy, and access to community long term care.

 

Franklin County and North Quabbin Nursing Homes/Rest Homes

Advocate as a certified long-term care ombudsman for residents of Franklin County and North Quabbin Nursing Homes/Rest Homes and help them to have better quality of life. This is a flexible volunteer opportunity that will enable you to make a meaningful contribution to your fellow community members.  Ombudsmen visit residents weekly and make sure their care needs are being met. If not, they help individuals to speak up for themselves. 

For more information, click here to contact Trevor Boeding, Program Director.

 

Volunteer Ombudsman Needed for Worcester County area nursing homes and rest homes

We are looking for someone who has genuine care, concern, and compassion for this population. A positive attitude, excellent communication and listening skills, and availability are necessary. An Ombudsman visits nursing homes and long-term care facilities on a regular basis, listens to resident concerns, mediates and solves problems, reports observations, and advocates for resident rights.

All ombudsman must be certified (3-day program) prior to fieldwork, attend a mandatory monthly meeting, and be available for weekly facility visits.

Current facilities include locations in Auburn, Ayer, Baldwinville, Fitchburg, Gardner, Grafton, Groton, Holden, Lancaster, Leominster, Millbury, Shrewsbury, Sterling, W. Boylston, and Worcester. If you are interested, please call Geralyn Bailey, Program Director at (508) 756-1545, extension 455 for further information.

Hide text

Minnesota


 

Minnesota

The Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care is a program of the Minnesota Board on Aging. Regional Ombudsmen and Volunteers work to enhance the quality of life and services for people receiving long-term services and supports.

What does a Certified Ombudsman Volunteer (COV) do?

  • Promotes the well-being and quality of life for consumers in long-term residences through regular visits
  • Respond and work to resolve problems or complaints of long-term care residents
  • Provide education about resident rights and person-centered principles
  • Advocate for changes to improve residents’ quality of life and care
  • Educate and inform consumers and the community about the Ombudsman program
  • Provide technical support for the development of resident and family councils
  • Assist with addressing improper transfer and/or discharge of residents

Requirements
Volunteer candidates must be at least 18 years or older with reliable transportation. Volunteers are required to visit their assigned facility at least 6 hours per month, or 72 hours per year, and must commit to at least 1 year of service. An additional 12 hours of continual education is required every year.

For more information, please contact The Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care at 1-800-657-3591.

Hide text

Oregon


 

Oregon

There are openings in Oregon for volunteer Certified Ombudsmen to advocate for residents who are aging and disabled living in long-term care facilities. Volunteers help to ensure the rights, dignity and quality of care for residents through complaint investigation, resolution, and advocacy for improvement in resident care. This opportunity comes with flexible hours, training, support, new relationships, and the satisfaction of helping others. 

To learn more join our on-line open house the second Friday of each month at 1:00 pm;  Sign up at our website! Or email:  lene.garrett@oregon.gov.

Hide text

Pennsylvania


 

Pennsylvania

STEP Office of Aging is seeking individuals interested in becoming long-term care Ombudsman volunteers.

Have you ever had a loved one reside in a Care Home? (nursing home, personal care home, and assisted living) Then, you know how much a visit can mean!

Ombudsmen enrich the lives of Long-Term Care residents. These volunteers receive training to help empower residents of long-term care to live with dignity, to ensure the quality of care they receive and utilize their skills to advocate for their rights. You can help with this important program!

Training from the state will be provided. We will provide orientation and some experience before the training. You will also have a mentor throughout your training process which will help prepare you during your visits long-term care residents.

We are specifically looking for volunteers to make two visits/month to homes in Lycoming & Clinton Counties.

For Information, Call Traci Foster (570) 601-9557 or e-mail: tlfoster@stepcorp.org.

Hide text

Utah


 

Utah

Advocate as a certified long-term care ombudsman for residents of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in Utah, Summit, and Wasatch Counties, and help them to have better quality of life. This is a flexible volunteer opportunity that will enable you to make a meaningful contribution to your fellow community members. Ombudsmen visit residents monthly and make sure their care needs are being met. If not, they help individuals to speak up for themselves.

For more information, contact Linda Cole, lcole@mountainland.org, 801-229-3809.

Hide text

Virginia


 

Virginia

Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which advocates for residents in the Northern Virginia area (Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church), is looking for volunteer long-term care Ombudsmen.

We believe everyone has the right to age with dignity and respect, and the Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (NVLTCOP) serves as a powerful community partner in this mission. Volunteers help in providing advocacy services to ensure the highest quality of life and care for people receiving long-term care services. You are invited to help support and protect long-term care residents in our community by becoming an Ombudsman Volunteer!

The NVLTCOP is looking for individuals who are empathetic, diplomatic, assertive, and skilled communicators. We offer a three-day in-person initial training, and ongoing training throughout the year. Our next training is in March 2024; please join us!

For more information, please call 703-324-5861, or email NVLTCOP@fairfaxcounty.gov.

View the flyer.

Hide text

Wyoming


 

Wyoming

The Wyoming Ombudsman program is looking for volunteers that are at least 18 years old with reliable transportation for training and facility visits.

Prospective volunteers must successfully complete a volunteer application which contains at least 2 references, a background check, a conflict of interest form, and an interview with staff prior to certification training, which will be a 24 hour requirement.

Volunteers must be able to commit to a minimum of 2 hours, in an assigned facility per week, a minimum of 1 year service,  30 minutes per week for touch base meetings with the regional long-term care Ombudsman, and required yearly training.

This is a flexible volunteer position. Volunteers must be compassionate, have the ability to communicate effectively, and genuinely care about those in nursing facilities. This is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of residents by helping them have a better quality of life.

If interested, call Patricia Hall at 1-307-777-2885 or email patricia.hall1@wyo.gov.

Hide text