The Charbonneau Villager Newspaper 2019 Mar issue Villager newspaper | Page 12

12 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER March 2019 A friend in your corner seeing how small gestures can make a profound impact on residents' lives. "I would get them something as simple as a microwave, and you would have thought I got them a million dollars," Arabia says. "It's little moments like that. They are so thankful ... to me it's the best feeling." And, according to Arabia, it's not difficult to get involved. Volunteers By PATRICK MALEE PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP should have a flexible schedule and at least four hours a week to devote to the ot everyone has the good fortune program. They must be at least 21 years of aging gracefully. of age, have a way to get around and be The dream, for most, is to live able to pass a criminal background out the "golden years" with a check. healthy mind and body — The state also requires the surrounded by friends and family — completion of a training program that along with the promise of new includes five sessions that each run adventures. And while a lucky few are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The next training able to live out that fantasy, the truth is program begins April 17 in Tigard. that most seniors experience life as a Additional resources can't come soon series of peaks and valleys. enough in Wilsonville, according to Luckily, Oregon's Long-Term Care Arabia. Ombudsman program has volunteers "There's a lot of facilities that don't like Kim Arabia, who work tirelessly to have (an) ombudsman, and the best look out for all residents who live at PMG PHOTO: JAIME VALDEZ scenario would be that every facility nursing or assisted living facilities, as Kim Arabia, left, who is the certifi ed volunteer in Wilsonville for the state’s long-term care ombudsman program, has an ombudsman," Arabia says. "We well as residential care facilities, adult visits with Bev White, a resident at The Springs at Wilsonville. definitely need more volunteers." foster homes and endorsed memory Arabia has done a few cases in care. The program is described on its every room to "make sure nothing is who works out of Salem," Arabia says. Charbonneau, but the program website as "an independent state awry" and that there aren't any "She's a paid employee, and I'm a currently does not have a volunteer agency that serves long-term care volunteer. ... Sometimes we have to pull hazards that might endanger people. dedicated to the community. facility residents through complaint in Adult Protective Services depending She also observes staff to make sure "I want to say there used to be a investigation, resolution and advocacy residents are being cared for in a timely on the severity of the situation." couple more volunteers," Arabia says. for improvement in resident care." and considerate manner. Often, though, it's something "Maybe someday I could add Arabia has been an ombudsman in "If I see something bothersome, I'll relatively minor that Arabia can Charbonneau." Wilsonville for three years, and she's go to the administrator or bring it up address. She wouldn't have to, of course, if responsible for covering two facilities: with a caretaker," Arabia says. "We get a lot of complaints about more volunteers step up. The Springs at Wilsonville and Marquis food, about care of residents, if the Arabia has volunteered throughout "The elderly are kind of a generation Wilsonville. her life, beginning when she was a family members think they need more that's put on the backburner," Arabia "You basically visit your facilities on baths or more hygiene or laundry isn't teenager. She was inspired to join the says. "I don't want to say 'forgotten' but a regular basis, which is typically once ombudsman program three years ago being laundered correctly," she says. they don't always have a lot of people a week," Arabia says. "And then you "Sometimes you get more severe cases in part due to a prior personal there for them. handle any cases that are submitted experience. but a lot of it is kind of basic stuff." "Knowing you're there for residents through the Salem office. Basically, "I was looking for opportunities and And she'll never turn someone away. and you're advocating for them, helping someone calls the 800 number and says, this came up," she says. "It caught my "(I investigate) anything they come (get) a resource for them, is very 'I have a situation' — it's either the eye. I had a grandma in her late 80s who to us with, no matter how small," she rewarding." ■ resident or a family member — and was in a bad situation and really says. "If they say, 'I don't like the then I go out and investigate." needed an ombudsman, and the frosting on the cake,' I have to If Arabia can solve a problem herself investigate it. Nothing is too small." To learn more https://www. program kind of resonated with me. I — be it related to food, laundry, hygiene oltco.org/ltco/volunteer or call found it on my own, signed up and have On a typical visit to one of her or behavior — she will. 503-378-6533. You can also email loved it ever since." facilities, Arabia walks around and "On other cases, I call my deputy [email protected]. What's most rewarding for Arabia is talks to residents while also checking Local volunteer says state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is invaluable N