The North Country Center for Independence is proud to say that the NCCI Ombudsman Program's own Barbara Thomas was honored earlier this week as a 2022 Ombudsman of the Year, at the New York State Office for Aging Older New Yorkers Day Virtual Event.
From the NYS Office for Aging award announcement:
"In her four short years with LTCOP, Thomas has investigated over 300 complaints, made 301 facility visits, comprising 480 hours of service."
The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for older persons and persons with disabilities living in nursing homes, assisted living, and adult homes. Residents in these facilities have the right to proper care, accommodations, and respect. They also have the right to leave a facility if they wish. Ombudsmen help residents and their families exercise their rights to quality care and quality of life. The program advocates for residents by:
• Hearing, investigating, and resolving complaints.
• Promoting the development of resident and family councils.
• Informing government agencies, providers, and the public about the needs and concerns of long-term care facility residents.
"We are so very proud of Barb and her accomplishments with this program," says Amy Gehrig, Ombudsman Coordinator at the North Country Center for Independence. "All our volunteers are amazing and dedicated to the well-being of our residents throughout the tri-county area. This program would not be successful without the dedication of our volunteer force. Congratulations Barb!"
“The ombudsman experience has been the perfect retirement volunteer gig for me,” Thomas says. “Being able to advocate for the rights of people who are basically forgot- ten by most of the population is so important. It gives me such a great feeling when I am able to make even the smallest improvement in their lives. The demands on the time of the volunteer ombudsman are very manageable and leave time for your own recreation/ social and or other volunteer activities.”
Well done Barbara -- we are so proud of you and thankful for your dedicated service!