Letter from Becky Caldwell

Dear Editor:
During the first several months of the COVID-19 pandemic, area long term care facilities denied visitation for their residents. You can imagine the sense of isolation and loneliness, as well as familial disconnect, this has caused.
Fortunately, on Sept. 17, 2020, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) released new visitation guidelines that have greatly eased those upsetting restrictions, effective immediately. This is encouraging news for Young at Heart Resources, because we serve 84 licensed long-term care facilities by advocating for those same residents. It’s our purpose to support them as they strive to live healthy, happy lives, which includes sharing time with their loved ones.
Our Northwest Missouri service area of 18 counties covers 9,274 square miles. The Young at Heart Resources Ombudsman Program is in need of new volunteers who will help educate residents in long term care facilities about their rights, and advocate for those rights, especially as their facilities open up again.
An Ombudsman volunteer may serve as an investigator, mediator, liaison and educator for residents and their families, communities, or the facility, wherever they are needed. An Ombudsman (meaning “citizen representative” in Swedish) works to resolve individual problems and provide immediate assistance to residents.
If you’re interested in learning more about becoming an Ombudsman volunteer, please contact myself or Robin Williams, Regional Ombudsman, at 660-749-0034 or toll free, 855-205-7520. You can also email me at [email protected]. Thank you.