Ombudsman Spotlight

Carolyn Parston – PACE Ombudsman

How long have you been an ombudsman?

I’ve been the Colorado Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) ombudsman for 9 months. I started as the PACE ombudsman in February of 2025. Prior to this, I was a local long-term care ombudsman in Phoenix, AZ for almost 7 years.

What made you want to become an ombudsman?

Growing up, I was always very close to both sets of my grandparents, and I knew I’d enter the health field but didn’t want to do medical or nursing school, so public health really aligned with my goals. I’ve always enjoyed advocacy and informing others about the ombudsman role. I truly love what I do and enjoy telling others about what an ombudsman does.

What has surprised you the most in being an ombudsman?

The ability to help others, with consent, and make a positive change in their life. Every day is the opportunity to meet new people and learn something new in this role, which is what keeps me engaged. By educating participants about their rights, they take self-advocacy and are empowered to take a stand for their rights and improve their situation.

What do you most enjoy about being an ombudsman?

I enjoy empowering participants in what is often the most stressful time of their lives—advocating for their care. Often, this is overwhelming for participants and their families. By informing and working directly with the participants, you meet new people all the time, help them, and get to learn their stories.

Tell us the top 2 or 3 positive changes that you are working to achieve in the communities that you serve.

Providing on-going training on participants’ rights for PACE participants and staff of PACE sites throughout all of Colorado.

Education is powerful. By educating and informing PACE participants on their rights, the more willing they are to speak up, and in turn help point others to the PACE ombudsman program. This provides a sense of both solidarity and empowerment to the participants.

Getting the word out by explaining what a PACE ombudsman is and what our ombudsman program does, in turn helps reach more participants that previously had no idea about our program.

Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you in your work as an advocate?

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead