Ombudsman program adds two Marshfield residents

Two Marshfield residents have chosen to give of their time, talents and, compassion to volunteer for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

These two volunteers, Barbara Calton and Phyllis Legan visit residents at Webco Manor, Marshfield Care Center and Marshfield Place. Barbara and Phyllis make visits to residents of these nursing facilities to assure that the residents’ rights are being honored by providing informal assistance to resolve issues that are shared to them by the residents.

The Long-Term Ombudsman Program was created in the early 1970’s as part of the Older Americans Act (OAA) under President Nixon. The OAA seeks to enable older individuals to maintain their well-being through locally developed community-based systems of services.

The Ombudsman Program serves as a resident representative. The program was created so nursing home residents would have someone, not employed by the nursing home, to stand up for their rights.

Every state is required to have an Ombudsman Program. The Ombudsman Program in the Springfield area serves 21 counties and works through the Council of Churches. Volunteers must participate in an extensive training with ongoing education programs.

On June 12, 2024, the Council of Churches celebrated all the volunteers who serve the 11 different programs that make up the CCO. Phyllis Legan was honored as the Volunteer of the Year for the Ombudsman program. Phyllis is a true advocate for the residents at Webco Manor. She visits the residents 1-2 times/week, listens to their concerns, shares stories with them and shows them that someone cares about their well-being.

Both Phyllis and Barbara are valued volunteers and serve the residents with compassion, respect and understanding. These two ladies have a combined total of over 500 hours to the Ombudsman program in the past year.

Phyllis and Barbara also serve their community in other ways. Both ladies are very active in their church. Phyllis is active in the Upward Program and her work in the church kitchen. She also volunteers for Choices, the Marshfield Pregnancy Care Center and Seasons Hospice. Barbara takes an active role in Samaritan’s Purse with the Operation Christmas Child program.

The Ombudsman Program and the residents of the nursing facilities in Marshfield are very fortunate to have these two ladies to serve them.