VISTA AmeriCorps; Healthy Futures Description: Volunteer Ombudsmen Improving Care for our Elders (VOICE) is a group of well-trained individuals, who visit residents in skilled nursing facilities and assisted living centers to improve the health and quality of care for those individuals living there. Training includes 24 hours curriculum and 24 hours of mentoring in the facilities.

The volunteer group is associated with the Long Term Care Ombudsman within the Area Agency on Aging. The goal of all Area Agencies on Aging is to keep people in their home as long as possible. However, there are times when people use the temporary services of skilled nursing facilities to grow stronger after a hospital stay or due to extreme mental or physical problems returning home is not safe. In both these situations our volunteers help. For those individuals receiving therapies so that they can return home our volunteers not only encourage the individuals to use the therapies so that they can return home in a stronger condition, but also improve their ’temporary’ home by checking on all aspects their care, including cleanliness of the facility and nutritious meals. For those individuals who live in skilled and assisted living centers for long term stays, this is their home. Here the volunteers are a continuous friendly face to check on care plans, hygiene, facility cleanliness, nutritious meals, meaningful activities and follow up on complaints in a timely manner. The volunteers visit weekly to ensure that corrections are made and that cares are provided with dignity and respect.

Volunteers may also participate in special activities that enhance the wellbeing of the individuals and preserve their dignity and respect. For example one of our volunteers helped the residents record their ‘life history’. These were given to the residents and families, who were very thankful.

Volunteers also participate in discharge plans to provide community information to the resident and facility staff. They work together to ensure that the transition home is seamless.

Other volunteers participate in resident councils to encourage and support residents to voice their concerns and suggestions in a safe environment.

Volunteers are also important in community education and awareness. One of our volunteers writes monthly letters to the Editor of several of our local papers. These letters inform the public of the importance of good, respectful care and how to get it.

Helen Stanton, an alumna, of the VISTA/AmeriCorps program (2004-2009) started this volunteer program and is still employed by the Area Agency on Aging and expanding it. The state adopted the program as a pilot project and it has spread across Idaho with the help of VISTA AmeriCorps grants.

Our program has been recognized nationally by National Organization of Community Action Agencies, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care and National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center.