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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 24, 2018)
August 24, 2018 T he C olumbia P ress 4 Ombudsmen: Volunteers speak out for county’s most vulnerable residents Continued from Page 1 Hahn, 67, is a retired sher- iff’s support division supervi- sor. She is one of four ombuds- men in Clatsop County who work on behalf of those who live in state-licensed nursing homes, assisted-living facil- ities, memory-care facilities and adult foster homes. The word “ombudsman” comes from the Swedish lan- guage, where there are gov- ernment officials appointed to receive and investigate complaints against public of- ficials. In Clatsop County, they are advocates working on behalf of some of the county’s most vulnerable citizens. Hahn has been a volunteer ombudsman for 8 ½ years. “Both my father and uncle were in nursing homes and I was their go-to person, the one making decisions and making sure they were taken care of,” she said. “After they passed away, I saw an ad in the newspapers. I wished I’d have known about the pro- gram; I’d have used it.” Don Mellison, 73, of Ham- mond also was lured to the program 1 ½ years ago after reading a notice in the news- paper about the need for vol- unteers. “I started with Meals on Wheels. That was my some- thing to do after retirement,” said Mellison, a former civil engineer with the Oregon De- partment of Forestry. “I just never knew I had a heart for seniors until I retired. And I just love it.” Volunteers must be at least 21, have transportation and be able to pass a criminal background check and con- flict of interest screening. There are 48 hours of initial training, plus 16 hours of con- tinuing education annually. Some of the issues ombuds- To learn more Information can be found on the Oregon Long-Term Care Ombudsman web- site, oltco.org and click on the “Volunteer Opportuni- ties” box on the left side of the page. Or call 800-522-2602. men see and handle are dis- putes and complaints over food, smoking issues, lost property, financial issues and quality of care such as clean- liness, bedsores and medica- tion distribution. “A lot of people are intim- idated about living in those facilities and they find a great deal of comfort know- ing there’s someone who will advocate for them,” Mellison said. “They get to know you and trust you.” One of his most reward- ing experiences was helping a woman who was being re- leased from the Medicaid rolls and booted out of her care facility. Medicaid had contended she didn’t need such a high level of care. “We asked for a second evaluation and I attended,” Mellison said. “I just think my presence there helped. … I had to encourage her sever- al times to answer each ques- tion based on her worst day. If you can’t do something one day a week, you can’t do it.” She was allowed to stay at the facility. “She was very grateful, as was her family,” Mellison said. The Oregon Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program has a small group of paid staff members and many vol- unteers. “The program is unique as it is independent from oth- er state agencies and solely dedicated to advocacy and resolution of complaints on behalf of residents living in licensed … facilities,” said Melissa Bosworth, deputy state ombudsman. Residents of Clatsop Coun- ty are well served by its four certified volunteers, Bo- sworth said. The office needs several more willing to work in the Tillamook area, where there are six state-licensed long- term care facilities. “This role is best suited to someone who enjoys a flexi- ble schedule, has four hours a week to give and a willingness to learn and use listening and problem-solving skills,” Bo- sworth said.
