Please join us at our next meeting, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, 8:45am – 10:30am, for a look at the advocacy side of senior residential care! Our guest speaker will be Crista Chelemedos, executive director of Senior Advocacy Services (SAS) since 2011.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, Crista has overall strategic and operational responsibility for programs, staff and execution of the organization’s mission of collaborating with older adults and persons with disabilities to preserve their rights, resources, dignity and quality of life through the provision of vital information and assistance programs. She is a dynamic and passionate presenter.
In her presentation, Crista will primarily focus on the Long Term Care Ombudsman program in Sonoma County, but will also share information about the new Elder Justice Initiative and other SAS programs including HICAP.
Ombudsmen are state certified individuals who resolve the problems of residents of nursing homes and residential care facilities for the elderly. They provide an avenue for conflict resolution that may be otherwise unavailable to elderly residents who are victims of neglect and abuse. Ombudsmen representatives strive to ensure dignity, choice and quality of life for all individuals in long term care. In her presentation, Crista will discuss some of the issues and concerns local Ombudsmen help resolve, and help our members more fully understand the important role they play in our community.