Ombudsman Detail Page

Volunteer Barbara Bastin

The Southwest Missouri Ombudsman Program has exceptional people who volunteer their time advocating for residents of area nursing homes and Barbara Bastin just happens to be one of the best!  Barbara is a dedicated volunteer who advocates for her residents at NHC in West Plains, MO.

Barbara grew up in Kansas City, MO but moved to Costa Mesa, California, after graduation where she worked for the Orange County Department of Social Services where she established eligibility for the aged, disabled and the blind, now known as Adult Services.  She lived in Orange County for 13 years after which she returned to Kansas City and worked for the corporate offices of Yellow Freight for 13 years before moving to the West Plains area.

After her retirement, Barbara played the piano, led Bible study and provided the music for Sunday morning church service at the nursing home.  During this time, she started overseeing the care of a lady, that she went to church with, following her from her apartment to the Assisted Living and finally to the nursing home.  She indicated that she went to the nursing home, every day, to check on her.  While there, she became the advocate for other residents of the home.   Two employees, of the home, told her about the Ombudsman Program, asked her if she would consider volunteering for the program and the rest is history.   She has been faithfully advocating for residents since April, 2018.

Barbara says that volunteering makes her feel like she is making a difference in the lives of her residents.  Her goal is to memorize every resident’s name.  She says you can see a difference in them when you call them by name.  Barbara is goal-driven in all tasks and, just like her focus was in helping Missouri children, her focus now is helping Missouri’s elderly.  When she enters the door of the nursing home, Barbara says she leaves her own life at the door and enters the lives of the residents while volunteering.  She said, “Recognition is not my goal.  Making a difference in a life is what’s important.  Contributing wherever and whenever I can bring me great satisfaction!”

In addition to her many other accolades, Barbara was nominated for Ombudsman Volunteer of the Year, has served as judge for the District 4 Golden Age Games and nominated for nursing home volunteer of the year out of 90 area nursing homes at a recognition ceremony held at The Hilton in Branson, MO.

The Ombudsman Program and the residents of NHC are very lucky to have such a wonderful volunteer!

Volunteer Barbara Zillner

Barbara Zillner has served as a volunteer ombudsman since 2015, visiting residents at Lakeview Suites and Lincoln Community Care Center.  Originally from Kansas, she and her husband of 30 years, Vince, retired to Warsaw, MO in 2013.  Following a career in dental hygiene and office management, she completed her bachelors of science in the field and became an insurance recruiter and trainer. First connected to Care Connection for Aging Services, Barb indicated that she sought a variety of opportunities from Harbor Village Senior Center in Warsaw and participated in several activities and volunteer opportunities.  It was there she was first introduced to the Ombudsman Program and learned of the chance to impact the lives of those in long-term care.  She enjoyed getting trained as a volunteer ombudsman as she and her husband can work together to make a difference for the residents they see.  If you ask Vince, he says it’s a natural fit as he is certain she has “talk to me” written on her forehead!  Barb feels she benefits most from the visits with her residents as she thinks it is important that they know others care about their well-being.  She has seen firsthand the impacts she has made, just by listening to resident concerns and enjoys seeing their smiles and eyes light up during visits.  While COVID-19 has hampered her ability to visit in person, Barb has still checked in with the homes she serves and participated in efforts such as sending cards to residents.  She is looking forward to returning to advocate for the residents she grown so fond of throughout the years. As a lifelong Kansan, we’re so glad that retirement brought Barb and Vince to Missouri!

Volunteer Beckie Grasdorf

Beckie Grasdorf has been with the Ombudsman Program at Aging Matters for 12 years and is an advocate for residents at Cypress Point. Beckie has always had some involvement with long-term care and serving her community. From delivering meals and flowers, Beckie has always enjoyed visiting with the elderly and helping their families. Beckie states that she wants "to be the best advocate for the elderly that she can be, and to help make the residents stay in long-term care as pleasant as possible." Beckie is always willing to further her education by attending webinars and in-person trainings. She always has an upbeat personality and is a very positive person. During the pandemic, Beckie still tried to stay in contact with the residents at Cypress Point by calling them weekly to catch up on how they were doing. The residents and the Ombudsman Program are very fortunate to have Beckie for a volunteer and we appreciate all she does for the Ombudsman Program!

Volunteer Dan Wilford

Danny Joe “Super-fantastic” Wilford has been a volunteer ombudsman since 2011 and visits residents at Milan Healthcare in Milan, MO. He graduated in 1959 from Gault High School in Gault, MO. Dan attended Trenton Jr. College then Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in Kirksville, where he met and married his wife, Carol of 50 years. They have three children and five grandchildren. Dan has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Psychology, a master’s in Counseling and Guidance, and a masters in Divinity. Dan has pastored for over 60 years and has worked for 34 years for North Central Missouri Mental Health.

Dan got involved with the Ombudsman Program when he saw the need for one in Milan. “I have always had the desire to serve people in meeting their needs. I enjoy meeting people and my daily goal is to deliver encouragement and help 8-10 people so that they live out their lives with purpose, meaning, strength and to live a more successful, satisfied, spirit filled life. I work to this end every day.”

Before the pandemic, Dan volunteered more than 20 hours a week. During the time he was not able to volunteer in person, Dan continued to make contact with residents at Milan and continued to advocate for them. Dan has spent a lot of his time not only volunteering for the Ombudsman Program, he also volunteers for Saint Luke’s Hospice and Hospice of Northeast MO. Dan is the president of the Grundy County Friends of Jewett-Norris Library, president of Milan Ministerial Alliance, Chairman of Senate Bill 40 Board of Grundy County - Family and Friends of the Developmentally Disabled, among being a member of many, many other organizations. In June of 2021, Dan was recognized for his service to the community by being named a Pillar of Community.

Dan’s upbeat and positive attitude is contagious. Anyone who comes along his path he wishes them a “Super-fantastic” day! Thank-you Dan for all the work you do! You are absolutely, unequivocally, “Super-fantastic!!!”

Volunteer David Shaw

David Shaw began volunteering for the Ombudsman Program in 2015 and is currently assigned to two nursing homes: Country Meadows and Maplebrook, both in St. Francois County. He was chosen as our star award recipient because of the amazing work he does as an advocate for the resident’s in Nursing Homes. Being an Ombudsman sometimes requires a “little bit more” than your typical volunteer position and with all of the changes the program has recently undergone, David has been a trooper and stuck with it.

David has been married to his wife, Trish, for 11 years and they currently reside in Desloge, only about 6 blocks from where David grew up.

David retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Air Force in 1996 after proudly serving 25+ years as an Air Craft Maintenance/Logistics Officer. He states, “Aside from the extensive travel requirements and opportunities, I was fortunate to have worked with some of the most honest and patriotic young people in the world.” After retiring from the Air Force, David began working with the St. Louis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). In this position, David represented electrical contractors and negotiated collective bargaining agreements and grievances with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Jefferson City and Hannibal, MO. He retired from NECA in 2012.

While visiting a friend in a local nursing home, David was approached by the Administrator and asked if he would assist the resident, also a Veteran, with his dealings with the Veteran’s Administration. Through that, David learned about the Ombudsman Program and the level of responsibility it requires in dealing with nursing home residents. He states, “The training was excellent, but all of the Missouri Statutes were intimidating! Never the less, I gave it a shot and turns out, I really enjoy what I do for my residents.”

David looks forward to his weekly visits with the resident and believes the residents look forward to seeing him as well. He states, “The satisfaction of being there for someone who may not have anyone is extremely rewarding.”

Volunteer Gail Bruce

Gail Bruce is a volunteer Ombudsman who resides in West Plains, MO.

Gails involvement in long-term care began in 2016 when she began working for a local nursing home as an Activity Director, a job she knew she would love but had little experience with. Gail instantly fell head over heels in love with the residents. She felt each one was so unique and she was enchanted by the stories of their lives and how much they had to offer. The more time she spent with them the more she wanted to “look out for them”.  She embraced a fighting spirit for them and the challenges that went with it.  Gail later worked for a second facility as the Activity Director and continued to be captivated by these new residents, their stories and who they were. Their life stories filled her heart with excitement.

“When I decided to retire after my mom passed in 2021, I did not know how much I would miss “my” residents and the nursing home environment. Then I remembered the Ombudsman program. I love being an Ombudsman so much! I have found it to be the greatest retirement gift ever! It is a most rewarding and enjoyable “job”!

Gail’s nominator, Connie Payne, says the residents really like Gail, they know who she is and she takes her time speaking with them.

“Advocating for those who cannot or do not know how to advocate for themselves is intensely satisfying and has enriched my life wonderfully,” says Gail.

Gail’s contribution to her community goes beyond Ombudsman volunteering.  In her past she was very involved in church, serving as Women’s Ministry President and volunteered in many other areas such as celebrations, meals, classes etc. She also ran a food and clothing bank for several years.  Later, she and her husband of 41 years served as associate pastors for 10 years in a local church they helped plant.

Thank you, Gail, for your continued selfless service to your community and to some of Missouri’s residents of long-term care!