Volunteer Opportunities

Do you have a heart for older adults in your community? You can make a difference by becoming an Ombudsman Associate!

As an Ombudsman Associate, you are critical to the success of the Ombudsman Program. You will be the first contact most older adults and families will have with the program. Your regular visits help residents in long-term care facilities.

Volunteers will receive 16 hours of classroom training along with worksheets and experience in their assigned nursing or assisted living home with a regional staff ombudsman and are certified to perform certain duties, including: 

• Providing residents with information about the Ombudsman Program and resident rights;
• Assisting people with their concerns;
• Being a voice for those who are unable to make their voice heard;
• Enhancing the quality of life of nursing home residents.

For more information, call 419-524-4144 and ask for the LTC Ombudsman Director.

Our volunteer wellness coaches teach self-management courses that help individuals live healthily and confidently.

Healthy U Coach

Healthy U Coaches teach the following workshops:

• Healthy U: Chronic Disease: A small group program that helps adults of any age gain confidence in their ability to manage symptoms and understand how their health problems affect their lives. Individuals participate in an interactive workshop 2 1/2 hours a week for six weeks. Each workshop is facilitated by a pair of leaders, one or both of whom live with a chronic disease themselves.

• Healthy U: Diabetes: This program builds on the successful structure of HEALTHY U: Chronic Disease but is tailored specifically for adults living with type 2 diabetes. Like other Healthy U programs, workshops are conducted in a series of six, 2.5-hour weekly sessions at locations within your community, by workshop leaders with personal experience dealing with diabetes and diabetes-related conditions.

Healthy U Coach certification requirements:

• Attend a four-day training held by the Area Agency on Aging.
• Co-facilitate two workshops within one year of training.

To maintain your certification, you must:

• Co-facilitate one to two 6-week workshops annually.
• Complete required program paperwork.
• Keep site coordinator informed of workshop activities.
• Maintain fidelity to the program:
  • Maintain privacy and confidentiality
  • Follow curriculum as received in training
  • Respect for diversity
  • No promoting services or products.

Matter of Balance Coach

Matter of Balance Coaches teach the following workshop:

Matter of Balance is an award-winning group program that emphasizes practical strategies to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels. Participants meet in small groups in community settings once a week for 8 weeks, where they learn to view falls as controllable, set realistic goals, change their environment to reduce risk factors and exercise to increase strength and balance.

Matter of Balance Coach certification requirements:

• Attend a one-day training held by the Area Agency on Aging.
• Co-facilitate two workshops within one year of training.

To maintain your certification, you must:

• Co-facilitate one to two workshops annually.
• Complete required program paperwork.
• Keep site coordinator informed of workshop activities.
• Maintain fidelity to the program:
  • Maintain privacy and confidentiality
  • Follow curriculum as received in training
  • Respect for diversity

Interested in becoming a volunteer wellness coach or learning more about our workshops? Contact Michelle at 567-247-6476.

Would you like to represent your county? The Advisory Council of the Area Agency on Aging shares information from the Area Agency on Aging about issues impacting older adults at the local level. The Area Agency on Aging in turn looks to the Advisory Council for guidance and feedback regarding county needs. Communication with elected officials about pending legislation or budget items affecting older adults is an integral part of this position. The Advisory Council serves the North Central Ohio area including Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Richland, Seneca and Wyandot Counties.

The Advisory Council meetings are held at Hawkins Corner in Ontario. Contact Susan Montgomery at 567-247-6458 for more information about this opportunity.