The New York Foundation for Senior Citizens is looking for volunteers willing to serve four or more hours a week as advocates for seniors in nursing homes and adult homes. There are 56,000 residents of such facilities in the City, and New York State requires at least one ombudsman in each of the facilities.
The ombudsmen visit residents weekly and work with them and facility staff to maintain high standards of care. The Foundation says the volunteers find the work rewarding. Taking on the task involves providing three references, completion of a free training program, and a commitment to serve four hours a week. There's an age minimum of 21.
The Foundation boosted its pool of volunteers from 70 in 2005 to 170 today, but has a need for replacements as volunteers come and go.
A spokeswoman for the Foundation told The WIRE that volunteers are needed to fill the ombudsman role at both care facilities on Roosevelt Island - the Coler facility near the north end, and Goldwater, near the south end.
For more information, or to volunteer, call 212-962-2720, or e-mail dwarburton@nyfscltcop.org. The New York Foundation for Senior Citizens maintains a website at www.nyfsc.org.