The Family Council
Defined: A group of family members and friends of residents in a nursing home.
Purpose: "To protect and improve the quality of life of residents in the
nursing home and to give families a voice in decisions that affect them and their loved
ones."
It's Most Important Functions:
- To hear and process concerns of family members and friends.
"The concerns
ofseveral people...receive a quicker response [than an individual
concern] followed by...action."
- To support and educate families and provide two-way communication between the families and the home.
- TO WORK TOWARD RESOLUTION OF PROBLEMS WITH FACILITY PERSONNEL.Working together will lighten a tough task on both sides.
How Does a Family Council Get Organized? Either the facility or an interested family member can start a Family Council. You can begin with just a few interested people.
What is the Role of the Facility? If the facility is the initiator, it should
have the members elect a president. From that point on, the families should run the
Family Council, and staff should attend some or all of the meetings by invitation
only. The law requires that the facility provide a meeting place at the home, if
needed. The facility must be supportive of the Family Council as it is being
organized, as well as after it is formed. If asked, the facility might send out
meeting notices to each family and/or allow posting of meeting notices.
What Are the Rights of the Family? To organize a Family Council with the
cooperation of the facility as described above, to meet away from the facility if desired,
and to keep confidential what is said at meetings.
How Many Officers Are Needed? No limit; only the president is essential.
How Many Functions Are Necessary? Hearing and processing family members'
concerns is the only necessary function. As the council grows, any number of
functions may be added. (Consult "The Family Council Guide" provided
by the Office of Long Term Care, P.O. Box 8059; Slot 405; Little Rock, AR 72203-8059)
How One Family Council Operates: The president is the only officer. A
meeting is scheduled once every 1,2, or 3 months, as need dictates or at the request of
family members. The president asks people to put their concerns in writing and give
them to him before the meeting. The administrator and Director of Nursing are only
present by invitation of the president. After some brief introductions and
pleasantries, people voice concerns. Then, with written concerns in hand, the
president reiterates the expressed complaints and politely asks the staff what can be done
to improve things. The understanding is clear: a reasonable length of
time will be given for the facility to respond. If things do not improve
sufficiently within that time, the group will go to the Office of Long Term Care about the
matters. One meeting was devoted to praise of the facility because of the
over-all improvement since the last meeting.
Read the Family Council Guide from the Office of Long Term Care
For assistance forming a family council, please contact us.
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