Growing old is inevitable but what accompanies it is a source of worry to many as they grow old.
Some of the problems which people can experience in their senior years may include poor health,
problems with money, and, unfortunately, misuse or abuse. To make sure that the elderly clients in
Alameda County may also grow old gracefully and with honor, there are the following elder advocacy or services.
These programs help and safeguard senior citizens – their purpose is to provide resources for their lives so that they may live with dignity despite their age.
This blog post will walk you through the available programs on elder advocacy in Alameda County and how they work along with how they can assist the elderly population.
The Growing Need for Elder Advocacy
Alameda County comprises a large population of aging persons, and this calls for the need for elder
advocacy more than ever before. Seniors need help with everything, from navigating for healthcare to
assistance in managing their money or just being able to go grocery shopping in a society that sometimes
looks the other way when seniors are in distress. Further, crises such as physical and psychological abuse seniors,
negligence, and financial violations are some of the strings that the elderly person may encounter.
Sometimes these issues are not noticeable or observable from outside and elder people endure pain and discomforts,
not even knowing who to turn to for help, or being too scared to ask. This makes the elder advocacy programs to be one of the essential services for use by seniors and families.
Alameda County Elder Advocacy Programs
Luckily, there is ample provision in Alameda County supporting seniors and protecting them against all forms of abuse. These programs are aimed at serving the multiple needs of elderly people including legal and financial services, health care and protection against elder abuse.
1. Alameda County Long Term Care Ombudsman
There is the Alameda County Long Term Care Ombudsman Program which is among the elder advocacy services rendered in this county. The objective of this program is to provide support to seniors resident in long-term care institutions for example nursing homes or assisted living facilities. The Ombudsman is the resident’s defender and also investigates complaints, fights for rights and tries to solve the problems such as neglect or abuse.
How it works:
Complaint Investigation: It undertakes complaints from residents and or their next of kin and, in some cases, even the staff working at the facility.
Resident Advocacy: They act as the advocate of elderly persons to ensure that they are ACEND given their rights as human beings, including the right to be treated, treated with dignity, and treated to non- cruel treatments.
Confidentiality: People should be aware that if they report any complaint to the Ombudsman, the result is kept in secrecy.