From:                              Sarah Hinzman <Sarah.Hinzman2@iowa.gov>

Sent:                               Friday, May 01, 2015 11:14 AM

To:                                   Hinzman, Sarah [IDA]

Subject:                          The VOP Voice - April 2015

 

April 2015

Spotlight: Meet Cindy Pederson
Cindy joined the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman in September as the Discharge Specialist to assist the more than 250 long-term care residents in Iowa who receive involuntary discharge notices each year. > Learn More

National Volunteer Month Wrap-Up

 

We are pleased so many of you were able to join your peers and members of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman at a Regional VOP Seminar this month, which happens to be National Volunteer Month. In addition to providing some education and an opportunity for networking, the events focused on celebrating you and the work you have done to benefit long-term care residents across Iowa.

 

Did you know?

  • There are currently 123 volunteer ombudsmen serving 123 facilities in 45 Iowa counties.
  • Together, volunteer ombudsmen have completed 2,262 facility visits totaling more than 3,519 hours of service.
  • Since a volunteer hour in Iowa is valued at $20.93, volunteer ombudsmen have collectively made an in-kind contribution worth $73,654.34 to improve the lives of long-term care residents (not including the time and resources you invest in travel, continuing education, etc.).
  • The VOP includes several non-ombudsmen volunteers who keep our program working behind the scenes by assisting with data entry, translating materials and other tasks. Special thanks to Ben Begovic, Julia Burgos, Christina Duran, Sandra Fernandez, Iris Fung, Charlene Jones and Lorianna Winegarden!

​There's so much more you do that we cannot even begin to capture on paper. Again, thank you for all you do! We hope to see you at our next round of Regional VOP Seminars in October - just in time to recognize Residents' Rights Month!

 

> View photos from the Regional VOP Seminars

 

 

 

 

Welcome Our Newest Volunteer Ombudsmen!

 

David Arthur, The Rehabilitation Center of Des Moines (Des Moines)

 

Beverly Boveia, Manorcare Health Services (Waterloo)

 

Mary Bustad, Rowley Masonic Home (Perry)

 

Rand Christiansen, Bethany Lutheran (Council Bluffs)

 

Carolyn Frahm, Pleasant Manor Care Center (Mount Pleasant)

 

Mary Kathryn Hart, Great River Klein Center (Burlington)

 

Michael Paul Heart, Iowa Veterans Home (Marshalltown)

 

Jo Ann Hunt, Midlands Living Center (Council Bluffs)

 

Diane Kleckner, Exira Care Center (Exira)

 

Lindsey Korf, Danville Care Center (Danville)

 

Jane Magneson, Ramsey Village (Des Moines)

 

Nancy Nichols, Arbor Springs (West Des Moines)

 

Thomas Schulte, Little Flower Haven (Earling)

 

Linda Turnure, Heritage Care and Rehab Center (Mason City)

 

 

 

April Anniversaries

 

The following volunteers celebrated their one-year anniversary this month:

  • Gregg Durlam
  • Jack Mauldin
  • Dennis Moore
  • Pam Pickar
  • Shirley Sorenson
  • Chuck Stock
  • Andy Webb

 

Monthly Reports Due by April 30

 

A friendly reminder that monthly reports were due by April 30. If you have not already done so, please submit them as soon as possible.

 

Are you ready to try out the online reporting system? If so, contact your Volunteer Coordinator to get set up.

 

 

May is Older Americans Month

 

Older Americans Month is celebrated each May, but this year is special because 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Older Americans Act by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965!

 

If your facility is doing something to observe Older Americans Month, please let us know. If you are still in the planning stages, check out the following resources for ideas:

 

> History of Older Americans Month

 

> Outreach and Social Media Guide

 

> Participate in an Older Americans Month One-Mile Walk (Northeast Iowa)

 

Continuing Education: Offerings & Opportunities

 

STATEWIDE VOP CONFERENCE CALLS:

 

In order to help keep you as connected to the VOP as possible, we are adding Statewide VOP Conference Calls to our schedule every other month beginning in May.

 

During odd-numbered months (e.g., May, July, September), we will hold the call on the third Wednesday at 2 p.m. The call will last approximately one hour and will include information about the latest program updates and provide an opportunity for Q & A with a VOP Coordinator and a Local Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

 

Our first Statewide VOP Conference Call is scheduled for May 20 at 2 p.m. and will be led by VOP Coordinator Sarah Hinzman and Local Long-Term Care Ombudsman Pam Railsback. To join, call (877) 273-4202 and enter the Conference Room Number (877-693-990).

 

If you cannot participate, you can read notes from the call online in the VOP Communiques section of our website. 

 

 

LECTURES:

 

University of Iowa 2015 Geriatric Lecture Series (offered online each month)

 

The University of Iowa Geriatric Lecture Series is presented online in a series of monthly lectures. The 2015 series, which is sponsored by the Iowa Geriatric Education Center and the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, is free and will focus on dementia. Each lecture can be viewed for one month and is accessible exclusively during the month it is scheduled beginning the first business day of each month.
 

To register for the series, email the Iowa Geriatric Education Center at geriatric-education@uiowa.edu with your name, discipline (e.g., nursing, medicine, social work), organization or facility name and your contact information, including your email address. Please allow at least one week to receive a response.

 

Upcoming topics:

  • May - "Exercise Effects on Cognitive Function in Mild Cognitive Impairment"
  • June - "Caregiving Networks and Family Communication in Dementia"

View the full schedule

 

 

EVENTS & CONFERENCES:

 

Iowa Fraud Fighters Forums

May 14 (11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

PZAZZ! Convention & Event Center

3001 Winegard Drive

Burlington, IA 52601

 

Each year, con artists swindle more than 5 million Americans over the age of 60 out of almost $3 billion. Iowa Insurance Commissioner Nick Gerhart invites you to attend an Iowa Fraud Fighters Forum presented by your state regulator, the Iowa Insurance Division, and learn how to avoid common scams and report fraud.

 

The event is free and includes lunch, presentations and opportunities to visit with exhibitors. Seating is limited and registration is required by May 7.

 

Another event is scheduled to take place in Council Bluffs on June 11. Check the Fraud Fighters website for future registration information.

 

Register 

 

 

PEER GROUP MEETINGS:

 

Meet with other Volunteer Ombudsmen in your area to network and learn from one another. Each meeting lasts about 1-2 hours. 

  • Washington (Wednesday, May 27, 10 a.m.)
  • Cedar Rapids (Tuesday, June 9) 
  • Cedar Falls (Wednesday, July 22, 10 a.m.)

If you would like to attend one of these meetings and have not already RSVP'd to your Peer Group Facilitator, or if you are interested in organizing a Peer Group in your area, please contact your VOP Coordinator.

 

 

TRAINING REFRESHER:

 

It has come to our attention that some Volunteer Ombudsmen feel like they would benefit from a training refresher on the fundamentals of the VOP. 

 

If you feel you would benefit from attending new Volunteer Ombudsman training, you are welcome to attend in whole or in part!  

 

Upcoming trainings for new volunteers are scheduled as follows:

  • Iowa City (May 12, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
  • Mason City (May 27, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

If you would like to attend, contact your VOP Coordinator for more details. If you can't make a training refresher, but feel like one-on-one assistance would be helpful, please contact your VOP Coordinator at any time.    

 

 

ARTICLES, WEBSITES & VIDEOS:

 

Information on Resident-to-Resident Mistreatment

 

Aggression between residents of long-term care facilities is a serious, yet hidden, problem. All residents have the right to be free from all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation, and can take action if they feel they have been mistreated. A new brochure and large-font fact sheet from the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care and the National Center on Elder Abuse identify types of mistreatment, share information about residents' rights and provide a list of resources where residents can go for help.

 

> View the Materials

 

"Understanding and Changing the Way Americans Think About Aging"

 

On Tuesday, May 5, at 1p.m., a free webinar will be offered for anyone who is interested in improving aging services and policies through effective communication. Research was commissioned by eight national aging organizations, including AARP. 

 

Register for the Webinar

 

"Achieving Cultural Competence for the Younger Adult in the Long-Term Care Setting" 

 

This two-part webinar addresses the unique challenges and opportunities younger adults in long-term care settings pose for staff. Discussion focuses on identifying needs, prioritizing competing interests and facilitating relationships within a cultural context that honors this cohort of residents but provides clear guidance to staff. Presented by faculty from the University of Iowa School of Social Work. Part 1 is scheduled for May 5 at 1 p.m.; Part 2 is scheduled for June 10 at 2 p.m.

 

(Note, you must register for each part separately.) 

 

Register for Part 1

 

Register for Part 2

 

"Caring for Mom & Dad"

 

This PBS documentary explores the emotional, health and financial challenges that family caregivers face every day as they care for aging parents in addition to balancing work and family. Premieres Thursday, May 7 (check local listing). 

 

Watch a video trailer

 

 

510 E 12th Street, Ste. 2 | Des Moines, IA 50319 | (866) 236-1430 | www.iowaaging.gov/VOP

 

This message was sent to Sarah.Hinzman2@iowa.gov from:

Sarah Hinzman | Sarah.Hinzman2@iowa.gov | Iowa Department on Aging | Iowa Department on Aging 510 E 12th St., Ste. 2 | Des Moines, IA 50319

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