Patricia Chevallard, Educating, Advocating, Empowering Seniors in Adult Residences

Growing up in Montana, the youngest of three children, Patricia, who goes by “Trish,” was always there beside her mother when times were rocky. Searching for a past-curfew teen, dealing with a loving, but alcoholic family member, sitting in hospitals when family addressed health issues. “I was a survivalist, focused from childhood on just doing whatever was needed. I loved my family, but I stayed out of trouble, to be sure I didn’t add to my parents’ challenges.”

After college, arriving in Tompkins County in 2001, Trish joined the Red Cross and for ten years worked with clients in need–dealing with the fallout from homelessness, poverty, drugs, and alcohol or a combination of challenges.

Serving as a case manager with terrific colleagues to prevent homelessness, she partnered with Neighborhood legal Services, now LAWNY, and other supportive organizations to mediate back rent and other issues, and/or help evicted families find other housing. After her daughter’s birth, Trish staffed the homeless shelter on weekends, so she could devote herself to childcare during the week.

In 2011, when Red Cross was going through massive reorganization, Trish moved over to DSS, where she worked for the next six years. The Employment Unit required 35 hours a week of work for many benefit recipients. Some of the alarmed or terrified recipients were fortunate to be assigned to Trish. As she helped them navigate the world of work, she counseled them as they shared their challenges—responsibility for frail family, mental health issues, lack of confidence. Many of the recipients’ concerns were concerns Trish had experienced first-hand growing up. As Trish helped recipients begin the transition to work by volunteering or exploring work in a welcoming not-for-profit organization, many people with her support fulfilled their DSS Work Relief requirements. 

Receptive to the recipients’ fears and challenges, she linked people up with ReUse, Significant Elements, Women’s Opportunity Center, Challenge Industries, and other local organizations. As a result, a good number of people required to “try work” in order to receive government support, used this steppingstone to enter or reenter the work world. A win for all.

And these many years later when Trish is out and about, she reunites with former recipients–now successful long-term workers in the sites to which they were first assigned to come and observe the World of Work.

Since 2018 Trish has been with the New York State Ombudsman Program, located in the Tompkins County Office of the Aging (OoA). Every state is required to have an Ombudsman Program to address concerns of and to advocate for elderly residents in adult care programs. As supervisor of the Ombudsman Program for Tompkins, Schuyler and Chemung counties, Trish enjoys the camaraderie of the Office of Aging staff, although the Ombudsman Program is supervised by the NYS Ombudsman administration as an independent program.

The NYS Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program’s goal is to Educate, Empower and Advocate. Trish’s program is available for all residents in Assisted Living and Family-Type Homes, including nursing homes, assisted living and adult-care residents in Tompkins, Schuyler, and Chemung Counties.

All too many people living in adult care facilities may not have family or friends to assist them with challenges and concerns. As hard-working, devoted staff aides, case managers, nurses and med techs are increasingly stretched by the wave of Baby Boomers moving into long-term care facilities, an Ombudsman assigned to a facility can be a vital link for information about resources for the residents. And for residents in facilities Ombudsmen can also help resolve conflicts and problems about their health, safety, welfare, and rights.

There is no charge for the services of the Ombudsman Program, and the staff and volunteers will address Quality of Care, Abuse and Neglect, Rights Violations, Lost and Stolen Belongings, Dietary Concerns, Discharge, Eviction or Termination of Services, Public Benefits, and Cost of Care issues with residents and their families. For more information about this program call 607-274-5498 or via www.ltcombudsman.ny.gov.

But there are so many people in long-term care facilities, Trish turns to volunteers to assist residents in her three counties. “As Ombudsman for Tompkins and adjoining counties I have been skillfully assisted by long-term volunteers like Eileen Driscoll and Steve Johnson, who were boots-on-the-ground, before I arrived. They continue to offer empathetic concern, savvy support, and guidance whenever residents have questions, concerns, complaints. I couldn’t do this job without the amazing service they provide.”

“I am always ready to answer questions from anyone who wants more information on how to join me in becoming an Ombudsman in this area.”

Anyone who has ever spoken with Trish, or worked with her knows how capably she promotes practical solutions for the benefit of people in need of an advocate. Those who have worked with Trish Chevellard and her Long-Term Care Ombudsman team rave about how accessible they are when one has a question, and their willingness to meet and work out solutions.