“I never knew. I never had a clue. Until you actually get involved, and then it really opens your eyes. This is so important. We’ve really got to protect it. And it can’t just be a handful of people. It takes everbody to jump in and be a part of it.”
Noreen, Volunteer Ombudsman
HOW NOREEN STANDS UP FOR LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS
Every day across Spokane County, more than 6,500 people live in long-term care facilities—nursing homes, assisted-living centers, and adult family homes. Many of them do not have family nearby. Some have no one who visits at all. That’s why SNAP’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program exists. And for volunteers like Noreen, this work is more than a role, it’s a calling.
When she first learned about the Ombudsman Program, Noreen wasn’t sure what to expect. She imagined paperwork and policy. What she found instead was people. People who needed someone to listen. Someone to advocate for them. Someone to remind them that they still mattered.
“We have so many people in long-term care, in hospitals, in adult family homes, who need an advocate. They don’t know what they can do,” said Noreen. “They’re intimidated. They’re very withdrawn, and they need someone to be their voice.”
She remembers a time when she really felt she was making an impact.
“It was my first case actually. It was an elderly couple who had moved from out of state and into the assisted living. They were having a really hard time getting DSHS (Department of Social and Health Services) to get onboard,” Noreen recalled. “It took going to court three times.”
That is the heart of this program. The Ombudsman team works to ensure every resident in long-term care is treated with dignity and respect. Volunteers help:
- Resolve concerns about care
- Ensure residents understand their rights
- Bring issues to staff or state agencies when needed
- Offer companionship to people who might otherwise be alone
Volunteers are trained, supported, and guided by SNAP’s Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman. You don’t need a background in healthcare. You just need a heart for people, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to showing up. Even a few hours a month can change someone’s life.
“When one person trusts you in a community like the assisted living, they’re all very close knit, they’ll tell others,” said Noreen. “And before I know it my phone’s ringing. In my little town it doesn’t take much to get my number. I didn’t have to give it out. People just started calling me. This is really important”
Why Your Support Matters
The demand for advocacy in long-term care is growing. As facilities fill and staffing shortages strain the system, residents rely on the Ombudsman Program more than ever.
Your generosity helps provide:
- Training for new volunteers
- Regular visits to facilities across our region
- Timely response to concerns and complaints
- Outreach to residents who would otherwise go unseen
This work isn’t optional. It’s essential.
Every Neighbor Counts — You Can Make a Difference Today
Why Your Support Matters
The demand for advocacy in long-term care is growing. As facilities fill and staffing shortages strain the system, residents rely on the Ombudsman Program more than ever.
Your generosity helps provide:
- Training for new volunteers
- Regular visits to facilities across our region
- Timely response to concerns and complaints
- Outreach to residents who would otherwise go unseen
This work isn’t optional. It’s essential.
Volunteer – If you have a caring heart and time to offer you can be the advocate someone needs.
Donate – Your gift strengthens a program that protects our most vulnerable neighbors.