What is a Family Council?

A “Family Council” is a group of people who meet regularly to maintain and enhance the quality of life of residents in Long-Term Care (LTC). Family Councils are intended to be self-led, self-determining and democratic. 

Every person living in a licensed LTC home, along with their “FAMILY” has the right to participate in a Council. In the Ministry of Health booklet, “Developing, Supporting and Maintaining Resident and Family Councils” on page 3 its states the term “FAMILY” is used inclusively to refer to important people in a resident’s life who may of may not be related by blood or marriage. This can be a family member, friend, or any other important person who the resident chooses as their representative. 

A formal representative, such as someone she has been designated substitute decision making authority, is included in this broad definition of family.

A Family Council:

  • Provides a forum for its members to share ideas and experiences.
  • Provides its members with educational opportunities to expand their understanding of the long-term care system.
  • Establishes effective lines of communication between all families, LTC home leaders and their staff.
  • Holds regular meetings that can provide a forum for safe, productive discussion, and help “families” to identify opportunities for improvement to residents and ensure recognition of what has been improved or achieved by their LTC Home.
  • Offers suggestions and makes recommendations to LTC Home leaders on matters related to delivery of quality care and quality of life for residents in care.
  • Provides input to processes such as accreditation, surveys, pilot groups and Long-Term Care Home committees.
  • Works on projects that will benefit residents in care.
  • Networks with other Family Councils at their respective regional association of family councils’ forums to identify and address concerns that are systemic in their care homes and LTC Home community.

A FAMILY COUNCIL:

Encourages and offers support

for one another; members share experiences to reduce sense of isolation, helplessness, and frustration.

01

Has a collective voice

in decisions being made in the care home that affect their loved one and all residents in care.

02

Elevates the collective voice

not only at the local level (LTC home operator) but also to the regional level (health authority) and provincial level (Ministry of Health).

03

Deepens relationships

between resident, family, and long-term care home staff by fostering mutual understanding and collaborative conversation.

04

Problem solves

to identify issues, deliver potential solutions and celebrate successes where ideas have worked, and improvements have been made.

05

Advocates

for continuous quality improvement within each long-term care home and the long-term care system by taking part in regional and provincial conversations.

06

Communicates and educates

about regulations the LTC home operator must follow; policies and procedures in place at the care home; issues relating to residents (dementia, diabetes food recreational activities etc.); how the long-term care system in BC.

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