Volunteers Sought to Help Protect Rights of Elderly

Rockland County is looking for volunteers to help ensure that residents of local nursing homes and adult homes are getting the quality care they need and that their rights are protected.

The Rockland County Office for the Aging has a training program set to begin in October that will provide volunteers the knowledge they need to join the county's Long Term Care Ombudsman Program.

Ombudsmen visit nursing and adult homes to assist residents with problems and/or concerns that they may have.  Other duties include monitoring the quality of care, helping to protect residents' rights, working to ensure dignified and respectful treatment of residents, and encouraging participation in resident councils.

Interested volunteers will complete a 36-hour training course to obtain
certification by the state Office for the Aging.

For an application for the training program or more information about the program,  call Michael Fober, ombudsman coordinator, at 845-364-2109.  Completed
applications must be submitted to the Office for the Aging by Oct. 8.