Seek Vols To Serve Seniors In Nursing, Adult Homes

The New York Foundation for Senior Citizens Volunteer Ombudsman program is looking for volunteers to protect the rights of seniors living in the city's nursing and adult homes. program, said her organization is hopeful

that its new and refocused campaign "will be

equally successful so that we can recruit additional Ombudsman Volunteers to continue to fulfill New York State's requirement of one Ombudsman in each of New York City's long-term care facilities".

Hoffman was referring to her group's previous campaign that more than doubled the program's pool of volunteers from 70 in 2005, the year the program began, to its current 170.

Noting that the volunteers play a vital role in helping assure that nursing and adult home residents maintain their dignity and receive the highest quality of care, Hoffman noted: "With the ebb and flow of the program's pool of volunteers, the Ombudsman Program is continuing to seek additional volunteers in Queens. The message of the Volunteer Ombudsman recruitment campaign is: Be a V.I.P.- Very Important Person- in the life of a nursing or adult home resident. Be a voice of those who can't speak up for themselves. One small change can bring a smile to the face of an elderly or disabled New Yorker."

Also supporting the recruitment campaign is Michael Burgess, director of the state Office for Aging. Burgess stated: "I welcome the foundation's new campaign as a complement to the state's initiative to recruit additional Volunteer Ombudsmen. The Ombudsmen are essential components of the state's efforts to ensure that New York City's frail and vulnerable residents of nursing home and adult homes have an advocate."

Volunteer Ombudsmen visit residents weekly and work with them and facility staff to maintain high standards of care. The volunteers find the experience rewarding and challenging.

Gertrude Cope, a volunteer at the Elmhurst Care Center near her home says, "Working as an Ombudsman is very hands on. You are really making a difference in the quality of someone's life. If you enjoy meeting interesting people and at the same time solving problems, then this is the job for you."

To become a Volunteer Ombudsman, an applicant must be age 21 or older, provide three references, complete a free training program and be willing to serve as a volunteer for four hours per week. For more information, call 212-962-2720 or email: dwarburton @ nyfscltcop.org.

The program is federally mandated and funded through grants from the New York State Office for the Aging and a contract with the New York City Department for the Aging.

The New York Foundation for Senior Citizens was established in 1968 and is a nonsectarian agency serving New York City seniors in each borough.

MALTESE HOSTS QUEENS VETS AWARDS: With State Senator Serphin Maltese (R- C, Middle Village) presiding, more than 100 Queens area veterans and their families will be awarded the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross, the New York State Conspicuous Service Star, the New York State Medal for Merit or the New York State Certificate for Valor and other awards or decorations tomorrow at ceremonies at the St. Albans VA Campus Auditorium at 179th Street and Linden Boulevard in St. Albans. Ceremonies will take place from 4 to 7 p.m.