Weld County Ombudsman Program helps seniors age with dignity.

"It gives all of us a chance to air grievances and ensure things are happening as we want them to,” Kenton said, explaining the benefit of resident council meetings. “We start each meeting in prayer and then go through our lists, minutes from the previous meeting and any old business. I think they are beneficial.”

No one sees the benefit better than Maldonado, who for the past 22 years, has been attending these meetings serving as an advocate and a voice for long-term care residents as one of Weld County’s Long-term Care (LTC) Ombudsman employed through Weld County’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA).

“We empower residents to have the confidence to speak up on their behalf, and we can also be a voice for others who don't have people to speak for them. Many people don't have family members or friends that can help them in situations should they arise," Maldonado said.

Therein lies the value of the Weld County LTC Ombudsmen Program, operated through AAA. The transition from living independently to long-term care can be challenging both for the individual and their families, who sometimes live great distances away. Operating independently from long-term care facilities, ombudsmen act as a resource to protect residents’ rights, ensuring they maintain dignity, care and quality of life as they age. Through resident council meetings, Maldonado can follow up with a facility to be sure concerns brought up at those meetings — which range from food quality to nursing services and more — are addressed.

Although Maldonado can’t quite put her finger on what propelled her to a career as an ombudsman, both the length of her career and its progression — she now runs the LTC Ombudsman Program as its supervisor — suggest she’s long had a desire to help people. However, her value, as well as the value of Weld County’s two other ombudsmen, is shown when speaking to residents she’s interacted with.

"It's nice to know there is someone out there to answer your questions or address something that we don't like and can work with us (long-term care residents) to solve problems and make sure we are being heard," said long-term care resident Flo. Flo moved into long-term care after she suffered a broken hip in May of 2021, which resulted in her relocating from Sterling to a long-term care facility in Weld County, closer to her immediate family.

While residents enjoy the assistance that ombudsmen provide, Maldonado believes the value of the LTC Ombudsman Program, and its positive impact, comes from the relationship she aims to make with residents, families and long-term care facilities.

"Seeing the same face year after year for both staff and residents and their families makes a difference in successfully problem solving. This is a vulnerable time in someone's life when making the transition to long-term care, and I think since Weld County, even though big in size, is such a tight-knit community that familiarity matters," Maldonado said.

While every job is somewhat repetitious, Maldonado knows her duties are essential during Residents' Rights Month — recognized nationally and by the Board of Commissioners in October — and throughout the year.

"Residents’ rights have a significant impact. When residents are fully informed, treated with dignity and respect, given the right to make their own choices and communicate freely with people inside and outside of the facility, it greatly enhances their quality of life and quality of care," she said.

The LTC Ombudsman Program is a free, confidential resource/program that is not affiliated with long-term care facilities. It's one of many resources provided through AAA in its mission to support the independence, dignity and health of older adults and those who care for them.

In 1863, Weld County was redistricted for election purposes. The redistricting consisted of precincts running along rivers to various ranches, creeks and orchards (pages 66-68 in St. Vrain County Record Book). Want more interesting facts from the county’s first commissioner record book? Then head over to https://history.weldgov.com/St.-Vrain-County-Record-Book.