The Purchase Area Development District is looking for volunteers interested in improving the quality of life for residents of long-term care facilities.
District Long-Term Care Ombudsman Sarah Dodd said her office advocates for long-term care residents and their families, making sure their needs are met and taken care of in their facility.
She said she needs Friendly Visitor volunteers, who spend time with residents and participate in activities with them. She said she also needs Certified Ombudsmen, who would handle complaints from residents about their care.
Dodd said it is more necessary than ever to turn attention towards those living in long-term care facilities after some people have spent over a year in isolation due to COVID-19. She said it was hard to spread the word about what Ombudsmen do for residents during that time.
“A lot of the complaints are when I’m in person and maybe somebody doesn’t know what I do, and when I tell them, they’re like ‘Oh! Well, I’ve got this going on, or that going on, or the lady across the hall has this going on,”Dodd said.
Dodd said they are also taking applications for Advisory Council Members for their council that meets quarterly at the PADD office. She said the group meets to discuss care in facilities across the region.
Dodd said applicants for all of these volunteer positions require a background check and some training. She said those who are interested can pick up an application at the PADD office in Mayfield or can call her office at 270-251-6120.
Dodd said her office is also looking for donations for their “Resident Rights Bingo Game,” that could include scarves, notebooks, pens, among other items that would make good prizes for long-term care residents.
