Facilities should not have to be "convinced" to support family councils because the law states that long-term care facilities "must protect and promote the rights of each resident." Included in those rights, is the right of residents' families to meet as a group in a private area and have the facility listen and respond to concerns that are raised.

Facilities that hold residents' quality of life as their first priority, recognize that a resident cannot be viewed separately from his/her family. The lifelong connections and relationships are integral parts of a resident's identity. Often, family members are the primary spokesmen for the resident. As consumers, families deserve to be heard.

If facilities intend to keep-up with advances in the field of long-term care, then the implementation of Pioneer Practices will also be a priority. Included in the Pioneer Practice paradigm shift is the mindset of putting decision-making power back into the hands of the residents and their families. Family councils do just that, give families power to make a difference.

Facility administrators who understand the importance of a family council and who support, encourage and aid a council are critical to a council's success. The attitude of the facility administrator sets the tone for all facility staff and an informed and enthusiastic administrator can be key in soliciting support from the corporation or the governing board.

The establishment of family councils:
good business practice includes it, the law requires it, and
consumers demand it.

So why don't facilities do it? Often, facilities fear family councils. Facilities believe that with such a forum for families, the facility will only be overwhelmed with complaints. Facilities dread the headache of a "gripe session." Though many family councils may begin with endless lists of individual concerns, with the proper support and guidance, the council can move to the next phase of taking action, cooperating with staff and making changes for the better.

Facilities who fear an active council that is empowered with knowledge are simply ignorant of the benefits family councils afford them.

• Increased, ongoing communication between the facility and its consumers
• Staff have a chance to know more about individual residents, which increases the quality of care that is provided
• Staff Retention: The council supports facility staff and includes them as part of the facility community
• Facility will be informed of potential problems or areas of needed improvement before they escalate into problems.
• A family council can help the facility prioritize and focus its efforts on issues that residents and families identify as most important
• Family council can be a sounding board for new ideas and partner with facility staff in facility events, renovations, projects, etc.
• Family councils often plan events and projects in cooperation with the activity department that benefit residents and the facility
• Family councils can hold staff appreciation events/projects that improve morale and staff retention
• Involved family members can effectively reach out to new family members and incorporate them into the community of the facility

• Talk to each family individually when the resident enters the facility and tell them the importance of the family council
• Include family council information in admissions packet and introduce new family members to the family council officers
• Offer to send out mailings and invitations
• Include family council information in facility newsletters
• Provide meals/refreshments for family council meetings
• Offer educational presentations on departmental duties, facility policies, billing information, disease process, etc.
• Offer periodic question and answer sessions
• Designate a staff liaison to the family council (Remember: Attendance at meetings is strictly by invitation only.)
• Assure that the families have a private place to meet
• Hold staff inservice trainings on the importance of the family council and challenge all staff to continually consider "customer service."

If your facility does not have a family council established, make the initiative to start one. The Family Councils' Project in Ontario, Canada (www.familycouncil.net) lists two ways this can be done.

1. Send an invitation to an introductory meeting to all family members of residents in a mass mailing
2. Identify a few proactive, involved family members who would be willing to coordinate an introductory meeting

The Family Councils' Project found that family councils needed guidance during beginning development stages. On average, there were 6 meetings before family members felt ready to assume leadership responsibilities. However, all family councils must begin with the understanding that the ultimate goal is a self-led, self-determining independent group of family members.