Written by Mackenzie Manley, Content Specialist, Downtown Main Library
In 2024, the Pro-Seniors Ombudsman Program serviced over 11,000 residents in Southwest Ohio’s nursing, assisted living, and group homes. That’s more than half of the population living in these communities.
Now you can be a part of that network of passionate volunteers! The Library will offer four opportunities this summer to learn how to become an advocate, or ombudsman, for residents in long-term care communities.
Learn About Becoming an Ombudsman this Summer!
Interested? Register for an event to attend a 90-minute overview of the Pro-Seniors’ Ombudsman Program.
- Monday, June 9, from 10:30 a.m.-noon at the Deer Park Branch
- Tuesday, July 29, from 6-7:30 p.m. as a virtual event
- Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 10:30 a.m.-noon at the Anderson Branch
- Thursday, Aug. 7, from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Monfort Heights Branch
Whether you have a loved one living in long-term care or have a passion for serving this population, you will gain the skills and knowledge to educate and empower residents.
Each event will be presented by Nick Stockburger, volunteer coordinator for the Ombudsman Program.
Nick’s interest in working with Pro-Seniors came from his personal experience growing up next to a nursing home, where he noticed residents not getting the care they deserved. He would regularly visit the home and loved connecting with residents — even if it was just to put a smile on their faces.
“A lot of the volunteers are taken aback by how little communication there is between the residents and the appropriate staff,” Nick said. “Often, they’ll talk to the aides and not necessarily get what they want, because the aid is going from one person to the next.”
That’s where the ombudsman comes in.
Educate, Empower, and Advocate for Residents
Volunteers go in and educate residents on the proper people to speak with and how to voice it to their specific concerns. Objectives include:
- Educate and empower residents
- Learn how to work productively with staff
- Gain key resolution strategies to help impact the lives of residents
“A lot of the anxiety that these residents feel is warranted because their self-determination and everything else is taken away a little bit; they lack that control,” Nick said. “It’s a hurdle to overcome. More than anything, our volunteers know that we’re encouragers first.”
Speaking of Library events, Nick says Pro-Seniors' mission aligns with the altruistic hearts of many Library users. The events are not only an opportunity for Pro-Seniors to use the library’s space but also educate the public about skills they can use to help their loved ones.
“It’s not the number of fish that they’re fishing for, but the right lake, the right pond, the right type of fish,” Nick said of the events hosted at the Library. “That is what it is for us: Making sure that we’re using our time effectively to educate the people we know want to be educated.”
Learn more at proseniors.org. Register for a session today!
Add a comment to: Become an Advocate for Seniors in Long-Term Care