Getting Back to Basics!

January is back to basics month! All this month we'll be covering topics related to starting and maintaining a Family Council. This week, we'll kick things off by exploring the fundamental questions "what is a Family Council?" and "why should we have one?"

A Family Council is defined as "an organized, self-led, self-determining, democratic group composed of family and friends of the residents of a Long-Term Care Home." While Councils across the province vary in size, activities, and interests, there are four common goals: support, communication & teamwork, education, and advocacy.

Family Councils contribute to the Home and quality of living for residents in a variety of ways. Council members engage in peer support to support fellow members. Councils operate as a communications link between the Home and families, helping to support information flow. They hold events with guest speakers to educate residents, families, and staff on topics such as Alzheimer's disease, making the most of a visit, pharmacy services, and caring for the caregiver. Councils serve an important function in processing concerns that affect all residents and working with the Home to resolve issues and engage in quality improvement.

Having an effective Family Council in a LTC Home benefits families, staff, and residents. Family Council provides an opportunity for family members and friends of residents to be involved with and engaged in the life of the Home. Families work on issues that interest them and support ongoing quality improvement to benefit all residents. Family Council also helps families and friends be better caregivers as they can learn more about issues affecting LTC residents, and give and receive support. Research shows that family input helps to increase the quality of LTC and family involvement involvement in care improves dementia-related behaviours. A strong, effective Family Council benefits the LTC Home as everyone is on the same page, supports the staff, and supports initiatives and projects, all of which lead to positive outcomes for residents, families and staff members though improving relationships between family and staff. For more, see the research source list.

By now, we've answered the big questions: "what is a Family Council?" and "why should we have one?" Join us as we progress through January for more on Family Council Basics! Stay tuned here on our Blog and on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FamilyCouncilsOntario/

To learn more about Family Council Basics, join us next Wednesday January 13th at 2:30pm for a FREE Family Council 101 webinar! For more information, check out the Event details.