Alamo and Bexar Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

09/07/2026

Behind every meaningful moment is someone who cares deeply - meet the Alamo Volunteer for September Carolyn M:

What led you to volunteer with the Long – Term Care Ombudsman Program?
My previous experience as a caregiver opened my eyes to how often older adults go unheard. I realized that I needed to do more—that caregiving is about more than just hands-on support. Sometimes, it means being their voice and their ears, helping them understand their rights, and reassuring them that they have not been forgotten.

How long have you been a volunteer?
I've been volunteering for just under six months now—since March of 2026.

Volunteer Ombudsman determines their own schedule. Is this important to you, and why?
Yes, that flexibility is very appealing. It allows me to balance my volunteering with other commitments while still being able to dedicate meaningful time to residents.

What is your favorite experience that you have had in your long-term care community.
One of the most fulfilling experiences I've had was seeing the residents come alive in the day room during a tap dance performance by a visiting vendor. They were laughing, tapping their feet, and some even joined in. It was a beautiful moment of connection and joy.

What impact does your volunteer work have on residents you visit?
I have observed that not all residents feel comfortable voicing their concerns—some seem afraid to speak out about problems they're facing. I believe the residents I visit can tell that I genuinely care about their concerns, which helps them feel heard and valued.

What hope do you have for long term care in the future?
My current role allows me to see firsthand how care unfolds in residents' homes. I work closely with agency-trained caregivers, listen to residents' feedback, and create personalized care plans based on their unique situations. My hope for the future is that long-term care becomes more holistic and resident-centered—where communication is open, advocacy is strong, and every individual feels seen, heard, and valued.

For more information about volunteering email or call Heather Armstrong, [email protected] or 210-362-5209 and let us know the zip code you reside in. Classes start again September 21st! Join Carolyn and our team and make a difference!

07/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/17mCSHuiJk/

When an individual moves into a long-term care facility, it's just as important as ever that they have the right to make choices that can preserve their routines, comfort, and dignity. Receiving long-term care doesn't mean losing independence.

06/30/2026

We are so incredibly grateful for our amazing volunteer Brandon B! He is the Alamo & Bexar FB of the Month Volunteer for July. Brandon brings a passion to our team and dedication to the residents he visits monthly.

What led you to volunteer with the Long – Term Care Ombudsman Program?
I had prior experience helping seniors and was missing being of use to our seniors. I happened to stumble onto the LTC OMB program, and it was a perfect fit for me.

How long have you been a volunteer?
I have been a Certified volunteer since December 2024.

Volunteer Ombudsman determine their own schedule. Is this important to you, and why?
It is beneficial for sure. I’m able to make sure I can help out every month no matter what is going on in my life, or how busy I might get.

What is your favorite experience that you have had in your long-term care community.
My favorite experience(s) continue to be earning the trust of those in Long Term Care and getting to the point where they trust me to help them. I find just having someone that will listen to you and take you seriously helps them a great deal while being in LTC.

What impact does your volunteer work have on residents you visit? I hope my impact is that they know they always have the ear of someone who will always do their best to help them no matter the issue at hand.

What hope do you have for long term care in the future?
My hope is that long term care remains robust, safe, and available to all that need it with no hurdles to care. The least we can do as a society is take care of those who took care of us.

For more information about volunteering email or call Heather Armstrong, [email protected] or 210-362-5209 and let us know the zip code you reside in. Classes start again July 27th! Join our team and make a difference!

AACOG's Alamo and Bexar Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for quality of life and care for people living in nursing homes and assisted living communities.

06/30/2026

We are excited to introduce you to our newest Certified Volunteer Ombudsman! Carolyn M is a wonderful addition to our team and will help to educate and empower the residents she visits. Welcome Carolyn!

06/23/2026

https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/news/federal-reinterpretation-of-olmstead-could-stunt-hcbs-growth-in-assisted-living/&ct=ga&cd=CAEYByoTODUyMzcwMjk4MDg2NjQ0MDczNzIaYmUyOTE4OWM0ZjVkMGEwYTpjb206ZW46VVM&usg=AOvVaw2Ju6gt3w6LKGn6D_baGdsk

A new Justice Department memo suggesting that states do not have an “integration mandate” to provide home- and community-based services to people living with disabilities could have major downstream implications for assisted living operators.

05/06/2026

Behind every meaningful moment is someone who cares deeply - meet the Alamo & Bexar FB Volunteer of the Month Volunteer for May! HELEN

What led you to volunteer with the Long – Term Care Ombudsman Program?
I discovered I had enough time to help others in need, especially with companionship, advocacy, and compassion. Just as in my life, there are times when someone can fill a need, if only to listen. My caregiver role had ended and since I was already connected with AACOG, it seemed like a good transition to make especially since COVID was limiting my search for volunteer opportunities.

How long have you been a volunteer?
I have volunteered with the ombudsman program since late 2020.

Volunteer Ombudsman determine their own schedule. Is this important to you, and why?
Yes, maintaining my own schedule lets me block out time for part-time work and set appointments. More importantly, flexibility makes it possible to be available for family, friends, worthwhile causes, and self-care. From personal experience, I know that an extra set of hands can go a long way in getting a task done, so I let others know I can help and commit dates, time to help with a positive attitude.

What is your favorite experience that you have had in your long-term care community while working as an Ombudsman?
My favorite experiences are those which are reminiscent of my caregiving days for family members: my mom, my husband, and my dad. I really miss the days when they were in my life. Lending my energy to residents’ care keeps their memories foremost in my heart since I know they would receive the same voice from me in giving them a meaningful quality of life during their most vulnerable days.

What impact does your volunteer work have on residents you visit?
I can only hope that my visits come across as sincere and meaningful. I come into their space to hear their words and see their faces. All during these brief encounters I make observations beyond the sound of their voices to make sure they can trust that I am there to bring them solutions to their problems, if there are any, whether they mention them or not. I watch to find ways to help residents.

What hope do you have for long term care in the future?
I hope resident care is accessible for all those that need it. I hope government agencies stay engaged in residents’ rights to the greatest extent possible. Lastly, I hope that I can rest easily knowing the people making system changes for care facilities consider each resident deserving of resources to keep them safe and heard.

For more information about volunteering email or call Heather Armstrong, [email protected] or 210-362-5209 and let us know the zip code you reside in. Classes start again in July! Join our team and make a difference!

04/20/2026

We had a great time on Friday celebrating our amazing volunteers! Here, we are honoring volunteers and staff for dedicating 5 years to ensuring their residents receive quality care and have quality of life. We are grateful for their compassion and love! If you would like to make a difference in your neighborhood, please reach out to us at [email protected]
Our next training session starts Monday the 27th. 🙂

04/07/2026

A Little About Bette - our Volunteer of the Month for April!!!

What led you to volunteer with the program?
I spent 50 years as a healthcare provider, many of those years with LTC and geriatric patients in numerous settings as a Physical Therapist and a Rehabilitation Manager in SNFs. My love for the population and admiration for the Ombudsmen I worked with led me to always want to volunteer in the program.

I have been with the program for a year and a half. It is great that I can set my own schedule; the fact is I prefer to go at different times of the day and on the weekend to see the activity in the facility and interact with different shifts.

I have met so many interesting people in the community I serve, perhaps one of the most interesting is a woman who became blind suddenly due to a serious medical condition. Her anger about the situation, her reluctance to learn how to manage her situation, were challenges for both of us. Although it took awhile, we are now good friends and she is willing to entertain that maybe she could learn strategies to live a better life. A work in progress!

I am surprised at how much the visits mean to the residents. If I miss a week of being in the facility people will question what happened and make sure I am okay. It is heartwarming. Many like to make sure I know what is happening with them and their friends in the facility. They want me at all resident council meetings, which sometimes is impossible, but I try to get there.

Right now, with the political climate, I worry about the future for long term care. Funding is always a concern, and with program cuts staffing becomes an issue. I would like to think LTC programs will survive and services will improve to meet the times and needs of the population most often served.

Bette is a great part of our team, and we are happy to honor her this month! She participates in almost every training opportunity we provide and provides valuable insights! If you would like to join Bette and the rest of our Certified Volunteer Ombudsman, please join our Spring training class which start Monday April 27th at 5:30p for 8.5 weeks twice a week. Please email [email protected] or call 210-362-5209 and let us know the county you reside in.