Mt. Zion Christian Church - Friendly Visitor Volunteers Needed for Nursing Homes in Winchester

Friendly Visitor Volunteers Needed for Nursing Homes in Winchester

January 23, 2012

Hello from NHOA’s Friendly Visitor Program!

The Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency (NHOA) has been advocating for nursing home residents in the Bluegrass area for 30 years. As the nursing home population continues to grow and change so has our approach to advocating for better quality care, and improved quality of life. While many residents in nursing homes are elderly and very sick, there are a significant number of residents who may be relatively young, alert and lonely. To help meet these resident’s social needs we have revitalized our Friendly Visitor volunteer program.

A staggering 60% of nursing home residents have no visitors other than their Ombudsman. That means an alarming 122 residents in the Winchester area are missing vital social interaction with people from their community. So, we are asking for your help in recruiting volunteers to be Friendly Visitors.

Friendly Visitors are specially trained members of the community, who spend about an hour each week visiting one on one with a nursing home resident who has little to no visitors or family. These visits are often the greatest highlight for the resident.

To learn more about the Friendly Visitor program please join us on Tuesday, January 24, 2:00pm NHOA will host an information session at the Winchester Generation Center, 32 Meadow Street.

Please contact NHOA’s Friendly Visitor program by calling 859-277-9215.

Troy A. Johnson, MSW

Director of Programs and Services

Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency

1530 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40509