WHAT IS A FAMILY COUNCIL?

A Family Council is a group of family members and friends of residents in a long-term care home that meet on a regular basis.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A FAMILY COUNCIL?

•  The main purpose of most Family Councils is to improve the quality of life of residents and to give families a voice in decisions that affect them and their loved ones in the home.
• Specific objectives vary greatly from Council to Council depending upon the interests of Council members.
• Some examples include:
  • Support for families
  • Education and information
  • Discussion and action on concerns
  • Communication with the staff in the residents and Home

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A FAMILY COUNCIL?

1. Allows families to give each other the support and encouragement they need.  Sharing with others who are having similar feelings can help family members cope.  Provides ongoing mutual support – strength drawn from shared experiences.
   
   
2. Provides a forum for education and information regarding resident’s rights and to become knowledgeable about the Home's operations, policies, rules and health conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, affecting the residents.
   
   
3. Council involvement helps provide family members with an opportunity to express their ideas and concerns and a way to work for positive change.  A “united voice” to address issues as a “united effort”.  A Family Council is a group in which the families can be the catalyst for positive actions to improve care.
   
   
4. Family Council involvement can benefit residents who are physically or mentally unable to voice their concerns and needs as well as those without family.
   
   
5. The Home also benefits through dealing directly with families and establishing meaningful lines of communication. Staff may be able to use the Family Council as a sounding board for new ideas.
   
   
6. Residents benefit from council efforts to improve the quality of life in the Home.