Independence: Volunteer Advocates

Certified Volunteer Ombudsmen work as a team to advocate for the rights and dignity of residents who are elderly and disabled living in long-term care facilities. Ombudsmen are the voice of the consumer and work to make the system responsive to individual needs and wishes. Ombudsmen investigate and resolve problems collegially until resident concerns have been resolved.

There are many facilities in need of a volunteer to advocate for residents living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult foster homes. Residents have no one to watch out for them or speak up when things go wrong, such as call lights going unanswered, meals arriving cold, or medications being given incorrectly.

Volunteers enjoy a flexible schedule, seeing the difference they make for the resident, local training and support, an opportunity to expand learning and meet like-minded people. You don’t have to be an expert - you just have to care. Great training and a team environment come with the job.

Every day, residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities encounter challenges they can’t face alone, such as call lights going unanswered, meals arriving cold, or medications being given incorrectly. Some residents feel forgotten. Some have no one to speak up when things go wrong. That’s where you come in.

As a volunteer with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, you’ll visit residents, listen to their concerns, resolve complaints, and advocate for their rights. You don’t need a special degree - just a compassionate heart, a listening ear, and a desire to make a difference.

A few hours of your time each week can mean the world to someone who feels invisible. You can help ensure they receive the right care, have the lifestyle they want, and are treated with dignity.

Stand up. Speak out. Make their voices heard. For more information, call the office at  or apply online.

• Advocate for the rights and dignity of residents in long-term care facilities
• Investigate and resolve problems collegially
• Visit residents, listen to their concerns, and resolve complaints
• Flexible schedule and local training and support provided

• Opportunity to make a difference in the lives of residents
• Flexible schedule and local training and support
• Chance to expand learning and meet like-minded people