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by Dorinda Gamberdella, Ombudsman Supervisor
Elder Services Long Term Care (LTC) Ombudsman Program provides a safety net for Berkshire county’s nursing home residents by sending in ombudsman volunteers at least once a week to circulate among the residents and listen to any problems or complaints they or their family members may have.
Elder Services’ Ombudsman program provides 100% coverage to Berkshire County’s 17 long term care facilities, by having at least one ombudsman assigned to each of the nursing homes. Our goal is to eventually have double coverage in all of Berkshire nursing homes.
Presently we have seven homes double-covered with our largest home (258 beds) utilizing four ombudsmen. Having more than one ombudsman volunteer assigned to each home gives them an opportunity to really get to know the residents, and provides a sense of stability. When one volunteer is sick or on vacation, the residents always have a familiar face with which to address a concern.
The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program’s mandated goals are: receiving, investigating and resolving complaints, protecting residents’ rights, providing information, and advocating for positive change in the long term care system.
All Ombudsman staff and volunteers are pleased to provide a voice for some of the most frail and vulnerable Berkshire citizens, and are justifiably proud of the work they do.
For more information, or to discuss a concern regarding a nursing home resident, call Elder Services at 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242, and ask for the Ombudsman program.
Dorinda Gamberdella is Elder Services' Ombudsman Supervisor.