Ombudsmen returning to senior living facilities
The coronavirus not only deprived residents in senior living facilities of visits from their family members, but monthly visits from professionals known as ombudsmen, who deal with resident and family concerns.
But monthly visits by ombudsmen are returning to senior living facilities across Butler County.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, every senior living facility in Butler County that receives state funding got a monthly visit from an ombudsman, a public official who acts as an ally and liaison between residents, staff and higher-ups.
Wendy Hooks, an ombudsman coordinator with the Butler County Area Agency on Aging, said many facilities kept up at least semiregular appointments with an ombudsman throughout the pandemic. She said the state Department of Aging recently reopened all facilities to ombudsmen, allowing for more consistent communication.
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