OOIE Outreach focuses on Community Service

Ombudsman James McCracken and staff at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.

Anticipating Governor Chris Christie’s annual “Season of Service,” the Office of the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly lent a hand to two major social service
organizations in the Trenton area.

OOIE staff are pictured with Crisis Ministry
Directors Carolyn Biondi and Mark Smith.

On November 12th, Ombudsman James McCracken and staff served New Jersey residents at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. Also, on November 22nd Ombudsman staff assisted the
Crisis Ministry food pantry by preparing food packages for distribution to local needy families.

The OOIE Outreach Office schedules these volunteer activities not only to give back to the local community but also to increase awareness about OOIE services among the state's most vulnerable and at-risk populations.

Volunteer Jocelyn Havison Partners with Twilight Wish Foundation

The unselfish act of one of our advocates, Jocelyn Havison, epitomizes the way in which both Twilight
Wish and the OOIE Volunteer Advocate program enrich the lives of New Jersey’s senior population.

A resident of The Homestead in Sussex County and an Air Force Veteran, Thomas Conklin, 72, has been
fighting multiple sclerosis for more than 38 years.  After noticing that Conklin was unable to get around with his existing wheelchair, Havison decided that she needed to help Conklin acquire a power chair that would give him the freedom to do the things he had come to enjoy, including venturing outdoors. 

Working with Conklin’s wife, Linda, and facility staff, Havison made contact with Twilight Wish Foundation.  Twilight Wish Foundation identified a donor to underwrite the cost of the power chair, which was delivered to The Homestead on May 1.

A special thanks to our advocate, Jocelyn, for her compassion, leadership, and perseverance making the impossible possible!

More information about Twilight Wish Foundation can be found at http://www.twilightwish.org/ .

OOIE Celebrates World Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 15, 2013

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons.

Unfortunately, no one is immune to abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It occurs in every demographic, and can happen to anyone—a family member, a neighbor, even you. Yet it is estimated that only about one in five of those crimes is ever discovered.

Raising awareness of mistreatment of older persons is an ongoing effort, not limited to one day. OOIE encourages you to get involved to help protect vulnerable senior citizens living in nursing home by becoming a volunteer advocate.

Becoming a volunteer advocate is one way to combat elder abuse and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of elderly residents living in a nursing home. Volunteer advocates receive 32 hours of training and are asked to spend four hours a week at a local nursing home, listening to residents’ concerns and advocating on their behalf.  To become a volunteer, call the OOIE Volunteer Advocate Program at 609-826-5053.

As Ombudsman McCracken always says, “The need is clearly there — will you answer the call?"

Gina Liberali Cavallo: A 'Champion of Change'

According to the White House “Champions of Change” website: “All across the country, ordinary Americans are doing extraordinary things in their communities to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world.” 

Gina Liberali Cavallo, OOIE’s Volunteer Advocate in Passaic County, has gone beyond the doors of her assigned facility, Wayneview Care Center, to lend a hand in her community in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Gina stepped in and organized teams of volunteers in the shore towns of Lavallette and Ortley Beach, and matched those who want to help with those affected – restoring the shore while restoring our faith in humanity.

As a result, Gina has been nominated, and is now a semifinalist, to be honored as a White House Champion
of Change and was selected by NJ First Lady Mary Pat Christie as a “New Jersey Hero.”

Our advocates really do make a difference in their community!  Congratulations, Gina!

Spotlight on James Vine

 

VOLUNTEER, WWII NAVY VETERAN

James Vine has a significant history of volunteering.  In fact, in 1941, at the age of 16, he volunteered for the National Guard in his home state of California.  It took the Guard 18 months, but they eventually figured out that he was underage and discharged him.

That didn’t slow him down, though. He immediately joined the Navy and was deployed twice to the Central Pacific.

In 1944, while on leave in Camden, NJ, Jim met his love, Susie, on a blind date.  They married, had three sons and eventually six grandchildren and one great-grandson.  They were parted last August when after 65 years of marriage, his beloved wife, Susie passed away.

Jim Vine has been an active volunteer in Gloucester County for the past 13 years. When asked why he became a volunteer with the Office of the Ombudsman back in 1999, Jim credited Susie. “In my declining years, I wanted to live up to the ideals of my wife, who was the quintessential giver.”

Jim says that what has kept him going as a long-term volunteer is that even though volunteering presents constant challenges,  he can  identify plenty of situations that would not have been resolved if it were not for his advocacy.   Incidents range from pushing for a consult for a resident who had a growth on her face (which indeed turned out to be cancer) to empowering residents to speak up for themselves to ensuring that all residents are treated fairly and equitably.

When volunteering, Jim feels closer to Susie, who would have wanted him to continue his role as a volunteer advocate.

Jim’s advice to new volunteers:  “First establish a positive relationship with the staff.  That lets them know that you can relate to them in a way that they can trust you. They will help you do your job.  But, you must always remember, “YOU ARE THERE FOR THE RESIDENT!”

Education and Outreach on Elder Abuse Awareness

OOIE acknowledges World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2012

Friday, June 15, was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a day created in 2006 to focus attention on elder abuse and exploitation.

In honor of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Ombudsman James W. McCracken visited Bristol Glen Continuing Care Retirement Community and attended an event at the Ramada Toms River for residents of the communities of Green Acres  Manor and Magnolia  Gardens. The purpose of these visits was to help raise awareness of elder abuse and provide residents, family members and members of the public with information that they need to combat abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable older adults.

McCracken at Bristol Glen Continuing Care Retirement Community

OOIE is a resident-focused advocacy program that seeks to protect the health, safety, welfare, and civil and human rights of older individuals who live in long-term care facilities. We receive about 6,000 complaints of abuse, neglect or exploitation in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living, boarding homes, and residential health care providers.

The message that McCracken delivered at these events and in a letter to the editor published in several major daily newspapers is that, while awareness of an issue is important, action is even more important.

Becoming a volunteer advocate is one way to combat elder abuse and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of elderly residents living in a nursing home. Volunteer advocates receive 32 hours of training and are asked to spend four hours a week at a local nursing home, listening to residents’ concerns and advocating on their behalf.  To become a volunteer, call the OOIE Volunteer Advocate Program at 609-826-5053.

As Ombudsman McCracken always says: The need is clearly there — will you answer the call?