Volunteer advocates sought for local nursing home residents
Shirley Thorne finds herself living at Wedgewood Estates after decades of independence.
The 87-year-old woman, who has diabetes and had lived in Canton, has been there for a little over a week.
Thorne is the kind of person who can benefit from the help of an ombudsmen, such as Diane Cunningham.
"I always try to target the new ones right away, so they don't feel lost," Cunningham said.
Ombudsmen are volunteers who advocate for the rights of individuals in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging covers nine counties, including Richland, Ashland and Crawford, and is looking for volunteers.
"Our mission is to advocate for excellence in long-term care services and supports wherever individuals live, working to improve their care and quality of life," said Melissa Wilson, ombudsman and volunteer coordinator. "Because our volunteers typically cover only one or two facilities, they get to know the residents better and are able to more easily see changes and concerns."
The Area Agency on Aging has 15 ombudsmen.
Local ombudsman has serving since 2014
Cunningham has been serving since 2014. She formerly worked as a cytotechnologist at the former MedCentral Hospital (now OhioHealth).
"I was very close to my grandmother," she said. "I have a tender spot in my heart (for older people)."
She especially sympathizes with residents of nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
"They've lost their homes. They don't drive anymore," Cunningham said. "They can't just pick up and go. They don't get to see their friends and family when they want."
She continued, "They kind of lose their voice and feel like they don't have a say."
That's where an ombudsman comes in.
Cunningham spends six to eight hours a month at Wedgewood Estates on South Trimble Road, dividing her time among 50 or 60 residents.
"We try to let them (staff at nursing homes and assisted-living facilities) know this is not adversarial," she said. "We want to help them and not to stir things up. I see us as a go-between between staff and residents."
Cunningham watches residents as they eat, making sure they are socializing and staying nourished.
Oftentimes, she simply visits with the residents.
Wedgewood Estates resident trusts ombudsman
Jean McVicar has been a resident at Wedgewood Estates for about two years, saying she can be "a troublemaker or your best friend."
She trusts Cunningham.
"We're not afraid of her. We understand her position," McVicar said. "We feel quite comfortable talking to her. It's a very casual, friendly conversation."
Residents often share details of their lives with Cunningham.
While talking with her, along with a News Journal reporter and a photographer, McVicar revealed her father was killed in a farming accident.
Richard Poffenbaugh, 92, was the longtime gardening columnist for the News Journal. Now a Wedgewood resident, he and Cunningham bonded over plant talk.
"There's always questions about plants, no end to it," Poffenbaugh said.
He said he thought would live at home for the rest of his life.
"I didn't plan on being here, but I darn near died one night," Poffenbaugh said.
Recalling the incident, he said he was living alone after the death of his wife. He fell on one occasion, lying on the floor all night. One of his daughters found him the next day, leading to his residency at Wedgewood.
McVicar's family had similar concerns about her. She is 90.
"My sons decided that I shouldn't be at home anymore because of a high-risk of falling," she said. "My husband had been in a nursing home before he died.
"It was hard to give up (control) and have someone else do everything for you. Now I like it."
That is what an ombudsmen likes to hear.
Ombudsmen try to improve lives of nursing home residents
Cunningham said residents are often hesitant to ask for help, when they may have only a simple request, such as a different menu item.
"Sometimes they think they're causing problems when they ask for something," she said.
Cunningham makes sure to ask residents if they are being treated with respect by their caregivers. She forms a bond with the people she visits.
"There's one resident who moved to Ashland," she said. "Once a month, I go to Ashland just to visit as a friend."
Cunningham was selected as the 2022 Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year in Richland County by the Area Agency on Aging. She summed up her reasons for being an ombudsman.
"I do it because I want to. It takes time, but it's enjoyable time," she said. "One of these days, I'm going to need someone. I hope someone's there for me."
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
Twitter: @MNJCaudill
To help
Anyone who would like to become an ombudsman should contact Melissa Wilson, ombudsman and volunteer coordinator for the Area Agency on Aging, at 419-522-5612, ext. 1107.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Area Agency on Aging seeking volunteer ombudsmen to help elderly
