EICAP Home » Volunteer Programs » VOICE
Print This Page

VOICE

A VOICE (Volunteer Ombudsman Improving Care for our Elders) member is an advocate and a problem solver for people 60 years of age or older who need or have questions about long term care.  Long term care may be in a person's home, in an assisted living center or in a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center.

A VOICE member is trained after his/her background is checked and references are received and checked.  Training includes:

  • 24 hours of classes covering the Ombudsman Manual.
  • 24 hours of mentoring, one on one, with the Ombudsman.

A VOICE member’s role is to:

  • Be assigned to one or more facilities
  • Visit weekly
  • Provide information about long term care choices
  • Check on the quality of care in long term care setting
  • Report to Volunteer Ombudsman Coordinator monthly

What does a VOICE member do?

  • A VOICE member works closely with the Long Term Care Ombudsman and Volunteer Ombudsman Coordinator to solve problems in his/her assigned facility.
  • A VOICE member also makes weekly, unannounced visits to the assigned assisted living center or skilled nursing and rehabilitation center.  During these visits, The Volunteer Ombudsman:
    • talks to the residents about the Ombudsman program,
    • explain the rights that the residents have
    • ask the residents if they have any problems with their services
    • observe the quality of the care provided
    • identify problem areas and make suggestions on ways to improve the quality of care