The Eastern Washington Long Term Care Ombudsman program, operated by SNAP, is recruiting new volunteers specifically needed in the communities surrounding Spokane. Over 150 nursing homes, assisted living or long term care facilities in our region do not have a local ombudsman resource for the residents, families, and staff to assure that residents receive quality care.
Volunteers with the SNAP Long-Term Care Ombudsman program stand on guard for residents of assisted living centers, adult family homes and nursing homes in Spokane County and four other Eastern Washington counties. Volunteers alert the proper authorities to a variety of concerns such as inadequate care, abuse, insufficient nutrition, financial fraud and issues with medications.
Referrals are made to local organizations like Residential Care Services or Adult Protective Services. LTCO also collaborates with Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington.
The program covers the cost of mileage and provides ongoing training and support for volunteers.
Screening for the next group of LTCO volunteers is currently underway. Training takes place Spring and Fall at the SNAP Fort Wright building (3102 W. Fort George Wright Drive near Spokane Falls Community College). To find out more about SNAP’s Long Term Care Ombudsman program, call (509) 456-7133 or visit www.snapwa.org.
