For Immediate Release
Contact:  Jason Gerwig
630/407-6022
April 30, 2007

Volunteers Needed to Visit DuPage County Nursing Home Residents

Informational meeting to be held on Thursday, May 31^st

WHEATON ― DuPage County is recruiting volunteers to visit area nursing homes to serve as resident advocates.  The DuPage County Senior Services “Long Term Care Ombudsman Program” exists to protect and promote the rights and quality of life for people who live in long term care facilities and to advocate on their behalf regarding issues pertaining to the care they are receiving.

The Ombudsman program is administered by the Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging and the Illinois Department on Aging and is funded through the State and the Older American’s Act of 1965.  After agreeing to serve as a resident advocate, volunteers receive a one-day training course as well as multiple supervised training visits to a nursing home.  Volunteers are then assigned to a nursing home and are required to visit at least one time per month.  Volunteers make a difference in the lives of those they represent and enjoy knowing that they have impacted the quality of life for seniors and the quality of their care.

DuPage County will host an informational meeting for all interested parties on Thursday, May 31^st at 9:30 a.m., at the Jack T. Knuepfer Administration Building, located at 421 County Farm Road, Room 3-500B, 3^rd Floor, in Wheaton.  To RSVP or to get more information, please contact Marla Fronczak at 630-407-6489.

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