32 • The Beacon April 21 , 2022

After days of rain , Mother Nature provided the most beautiful weather for family and friends to join the residents of Juanita Potts Family Home in celebration of Easter . Nearly 50 people , mostly family members , participated .

“ Our residents love to watch their grandchildren and great-grandchildren have a great time . We try to have as many opportunities for multi-generational get-togethers as possible . This has been difficult over the last couple of years , but we expect to resume many of our celebrations moving forward ,” said Deric Potts , director of Juanita Potts Family Home . “ This type of activity is amazing therapy for our residents .”

There was excitement when the guest of honor

Submitted

After days of rain , Mother Nature provided the most beautiful weather for family and friends to join the residents of Juanita Potts Family Home in celebration of Easter .

arrived just as the children were finishing their egg hunt . Children from age 2 months to 97 years posed for pictures with the Easter Bunny .

Juanita Potts Family Home is a residential care facility specializing in providing care for up to six elderly residents in a luxury home-like setting overlooking the city of Coshocton .

During National Volunteer Week , April 17-23 , the Ohio Department of Aging and the Office of the State Long- Term Care Ombudsman has been celebrating empathy in action and recognizing the contributions of ombudsman volunteers . They invite all Ohioans to contribute their time and empathy toward helping residents of nursing homes , assisted living facilities and group homes . Visit www . stepup . ohio . gov to learn more and volunteer .

“ Volunteering truly is empathy in action ,” said Ursel J . McElroy , director of the department . “ Ombudsman volunteers take that to a higher level by serving as the eyes , ears and voices for longterm care consumers . They are needed now more than ever .”

“ Ombudsmen are resident-directed advocates who improve the quality of life and care for longterm care consumers ,” said Erin Pettegrew , deputy state long-term care ombudsman . “ Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic , ombudsman volunteers have been visiting residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities , educating them about their rights and addressing their care concerns .”

The pandemic greatly altered the way services and supports were provided to long-term care consumers . The state of Ohio and the long-term care ombudsmen are committed to ensuring all Ohioans have access to quality care in the settings they choose . The ombudsman program and its volunteers help make this a reality .

Ombudsman volunteers work with nursing home and assisted living residents , family members , and facility staff and leadership to help resolve care issues . While COVID-19 has made it more important that consumers have an advocate there for them when they need it , the pandemic also diminished Ohio ’ s team of ombudsman volunteers .

Ohio ’ s 100,000 nursing home and assisted living residents need empathetic advocates looking out for their interests . Ombudsman volunteers regularly visit facilities and speak with residents about their care . Volunteers are linked to their regional ombudsman program and provide services at facilities in their own communities . They receive comprehensive training and support from paid ombudsman staff .

For more information about the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman , visit www . ombudsman . ohio . gov or call 1-800-282-1206 . Follow the ombudsman ’ s office on Facebook during National Volunteer Week for stories of ombudsman volunteers in action .