Seniors sign up for the Volunteer Ombudsman Program at the Citywide Senior C
DFSS ANNOUNCES VOLUNTEER OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM AT
2010 CITYWIDE SENIOR CONFERENCE
New program to protect the rights of older residents who live in Chicago’s nursing homes
May 12, 2010 –The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), Senior Services Area Agency on Aging announced the Volunteer Ombudsman Program at the 2010 Citywide Senior Conference at McCormick Place-Lakeside Center on May 6.
DFSS’ new Volunteer Ombudsman Program serves to protect the rights of older adults who live in Chicago’s 120 long term care facilities. Ombudsmen inform residents and their families of their rights; mediate and report complaints; provide information on residents’ needs/concerns to families, facility staff and the department; as well as advocate for quality individualized care for the residents.
“It is estimated that nearly 60 percent of residents in Long Term Care facilities never receive a visitor,” said Mary Ellen Caron, Ph.D., commissioner, Chicago Department of Family and Support Services. “Becoming a Volunteer Ombudsman allows Chicagoans the opportunity to improve the quality of life for seniors in their community by providing support and friendship to individuals who have limited resources.”
Volunteers will serve in the communities in which they reside and are required to complete training certified by the Illinois Department on Aging, which includes a comprehensive overview of:
• The aging process and the people the program serves;
• Federal and state regulations of Long Term Care facilities;
• Residents’
• The organizational structure of the long term setting;
• Communication and interviewing techniques; and
• General principles for reporting.
For more information about the Ombudsman Volunteer Program, upcoming senior events and resources, please call 312-744-4016 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/
The Citywide Senior Conference is part of Chicago’s celebration of Older Americans Month which is recognized nationally in May each year. More than 1,600 seniors attended the event. Themed Age Strong! Live Long!—this year’s 2010 Citywide Senior Conference also provided Chicago’s senior residents with a comprehensive resource fair and variety of educational workshops that focused on health, finances and senior safety. Charles D. Johnson, director of the Illinois Department on Aging served as the keynote speaker of the event.
About the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services
The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) is dedicated to supporting a continuum of coordinated services to enhance the lives of Chicago residents, particularly those most in need, from birth through the senior years. The department works to promote the independence and well-being of individuals, support families and strengthen neighborhoods by providing direct assistance and administering resources to a network of community-based organizations, social service providers and institutions. For more information about the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, call 312-743-0300 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/
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