August 24, 2018
T he C olumbia P ress
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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.