Estes Park’s own LoAnne Forschmiedt was one of two winners of Larimer County’s Outstanding Senior Volunteer Award for her advocacy on behalf of seniors.

The recognition came as a shock to Forschmeidt, as she wasn’t even aware Long Term Care Ombudsman Eliza Hensley had nominated her for the award. Forschmeidt serves as the Ombudsman for Good Samaritan Senior Living, where she advocated for the residents with compassion and dedication.

Hensley said she nominated Forschmeidt for her seven years of being a dedicated and compassionate Ombudsman in Estes Park long-term care communities. Hensley said that Forschmeidt has investigated over 100 resident complaints and addressed issues from minor concerns to allegations of abuse, all while maintaining a with a bright attitude, dignity, and empathy. Her visits, often more than one per month, save full-time staff valuable time, especially during the winter months when access is limited.

Forschmeidt said that Hensley broke the news that she had been nominated, and that she had won, all at once, leaving her in stunned appreciation.

“It’s just overwhelming, really,” Forschmeidt said. “It takes somebody to nominate you to get to that point because, obviously, if you’re not nominated, you’re never going to win. So, just the fact that she thought to nominate me was a big honor.”

Forschmeidt’s work as a certified Ombudsman has been ongoing for the past seven years, and Hensley says she performs the duties with a positive and flexible approach that makes her a valued volunteer. Monthly check-ins with residents give them the power to not only share their worries with an advocate, but stand up for themselves.

“The recourse is to try and get them to advocate for themselves,” Forschmeidt said. “I want to give them the confidence to make their own decisions regarding how they want to proceed, and I can’t do anything unless they give me their permission.”

Starting her healthcare career at the age of 47 as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Forschmeidt grew to love the residents she worked with.

“It’s just so important that the residents feel like they know what their rights are when they’re in situations like that,” Forschmeidt said. “That’s my main purpose — to assure them that they have the same rights when they’re living in assisted living that they would if they were in their own home.”

The momentum of her volunteerism isn’t stopping here, at age 70. She aims to work as Ombudsman for another five years, and recently joined the board of the Estes Dementia Daycare. She said she doesn’t know for sure what that work will look like, but she aims to be hands-on, inside the Daycare, with the residents to help the organization accomplish its programs.

The Larimer County Office on Aging thanked Forschmeidt for her volunteerism, positive attitude, and impact at the award ceremony, where there is shared appreciation for her work with older adults and other caregivers in our community.