Spotlight on education: an essential FC goal
by Family Councils Ontario
The Family Council handbook Your Guide to Starting and Maintaining a Family Council outlines four goals that every Family Council strives to achieve: support, communication, education, and advocacy. In this blog we will share a few ideas that we have learned about how Councils approach the goal of education since the handbook was published several years ago.
Education is something we do all our lives. We don’t simply stop learning when we are finished school or our working life. Continuing to learn can play a big part in keeping people happy and healthy and has been shown to help keep our brains strong and prevent memory loss no matter what age we are. In terms of Family Councils, the goal of education is an opportunity for family caregivers to educate themselves as much as possible to support them in their caregiving journey.
Many caregivers arrive at the long-term care home without prior knowledge of what to expect and what life in a long-term care home is really like. A Family Council can offer educational events for families to learn things about the home, about long-term care in general, and about specific things of interest to caregivers. Some Councils plan an educational event two to three times a year. Some Councils include education in their meetings more often. Either way, educating people about aspects of long-term care can turn family caregivers into knowledgeable members of the care team at the home providing care for their loved one.
To develop an educational plan we advise Councils to have a brainstorming session- perhaps in September when Councils reconvene after the summer break- in which they ask members to suggest topics they would like to know about. The information gathered can help plan educational sessions for the coming months. Then members can help execute the plan by researching speakers on the topics of interest, contacting speakers, developing promotional materials, organizing refreshments and AV equipment, managing registration, and so on. Refreshments are always a welcome addition whether supplied by the home or by Council members themselves. Each Council member can have a task on the day of the event for example: helping to set up the room, welcoming people, preparing refreshments. The home can be involved in the planning by making sure there is a room available if the meeting will attract a larger group. Planning and executing the educational plan can also be a great group development and member engagement experience for Councils!
Family Councils can connect with community organizations and bring in speakers that may be of interest to Council members. A speakers list could include speakers from The Alzheimer’s Society, the Osteoporosis Society, local associations offering therapy animals, local lawyers to give caregivers information on taxes or advance directives and wills, and hospice organizations to speak on grief and end of life care. There are many resources in the community that can offer education and are glad to present at Council meetings.
One of the basic ways to educate Family Council members is by inviting management of the different departments to meetings to speak about their particular aspect of home life. Many Councils have their home’s departments come to meetings throughout the year to explain their program or give updates on things happening in the home. At these sessions, family members meet the staff and can begin to foster strong relationships with them along with learning about the programs and services offered. Having personal connections with home staff and deeper understandings of the home service areas can strengthen the abilities of family caregivers to support their resident and positive, supportive connections between the Council and home staff. These connections can create a wonderful LTC home in which to live, work, and visit.
Education is also a give-and-take role for Family Councils. Family Council members do not just need to get education; they have a lot of knowledge to give and can help educate the home about the needs and challenges of residents and families. Members can play an advisory role to the home by agreeing to sit on advisory committees the home may set up from time to time. Quality improvement committees, strategic planning committees, and dietary committees are all possible areas of engagement where the family voice can give important information to the home. Talk with the staff and administration of the home and explore ways to engage with them through bringing the family perspective to the planning tables they have. Family Councils have a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to share.
Family Council members also have their own wisdom to share with each other. Many caregivers have expertise and talents in different areas that can be very helpful to the council. The topics do not necessarily need to be related to long-term care or caregiving but can be a welcome break for caregivers. Having opportunities to share with each other hobbies, work, special interests is a great way for everyone to learn something new and get to know each other a little better. This is peer support and community building in action!
Education is a key component of any Family Council. Educating members- whether formally or through peer-to-peer learning- supports the ability of caregivers to support their loved one and helps Family Council members work in partnership with the home to advance quality of care and life for all residents in the home. Whether your Council chooses to have internal or external speakers, bi-annual or more frequent events, large or small gatherings, your efforts to educate members on issues important to them will not only help them be better caregivers but will also strengthen your group. Family Council education matters deeply.
Education is a goal that Family Councils Ontario takes very seriously. FCO holds regular educational events and offers training on starting and maintaining a Family Council. Our website has educational materials that are readily accessible and if you sign up for our bulletins you will be alerted when we are hosting educational sessions. Our conference next month is full of educational sessions that can benefit your Council. We hope to see you there!