The Ombudsman for the Elderly in Oslo our experiences thus far

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The Ombudsman for the Elderly in Oslo our
experiences thus far

• Anne Myhr

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Main Points for Lecture

• What traits does an ombudsman have ?
• What is our previous experience?
• This lecture is limited to elderly immigrants

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What is an ombud?

• An Ombudsman shall be "a watchdog"
• The Ombudsman shall bring up blameworthy issues
  (individual cases and general)
• Influence through systemization of experience

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Ombud contd.

• Examples of different Ombudsmen in Norway are
• Ombudsman for Gender Equality and Discrimination
• Patients' Ombudsman
• Ombudsman for Health Social Services, Oslo
• Ombudsman for the Elderly in Oslo

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More information about the Ombudsman for the
Elderly in Oslo

• The Ombudsman for the Elderly in Oslo is the
  only Ombud for the elderly in Norway.
• Who are we?
• What do we do?

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The Ombudsman for the Elderly's Main Tasks

• Work to ensure the needs, interests and rights of
  elderly citizens where health and social welfare
  services are concerned
• Work to improve the quality of health and social
  welfare services

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How do we achieve this?

• Bring awareness of the organization to senior
  citizens/their closest family
• Inform about existing rights and procedures for
  appeal
• Assist in formulating appeals follow up cases

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Inhabitants in Oslo and 4 other major cities in
Norway with and without immigrant background
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Non-western immigrants in Oslo over the age of 50
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Experience thus far

• We have doubled our case load
• Impact and success for individual cases and
  influence on principle cases
• But, we have not shown similarly positive
  experience where elderly immigrants are
  concerned
• Therefore, we must find approaches to get these
  citizens to speak with us

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Summary and recommendations

• They are worried and concerned about the same
  issues as other elderly
• Individual preparation and help with public
  services
• Use of established meeting places

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Summary and recommendations, contd.

• Elderly immigrant women need special attention
• Our good intentions for integration cannot be
  forced on people

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Practical information

• Please contact us if you have any questions or
  input for us
• Thank you for your kind attention