Family Councils | Rights of Family Councils | Getting Started | Regional Ombudsmen | Organization and Structure | Barriers Facing Family Councils
Confronting the Fear of Retaliation | Concern and Complaint Resolution
Outreach | My Family Council | Why Facilities Want Family Councils

The Benefits Family Councils Offer

• Support and empowerment for families—Sharing with others who are having similar feelings can help family members cope. Ongoing mutual support--strength drawn from shared experiences.
• Education and information—To understand residents’ rights and to become knowledgeable about best pioneer nursing home practices, facility operations, policy, rules, and the health conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, affecting the residents.
• Discussion and action on concerns and complaints—A “united voice” to address issues as a “united effort.” A family council is a group in which the families can be the catalyst for positive actions to improve care. A council can support and protect residents who do not have concerned families or friends.
• Communication with the facility staff and home— Councils allow facility staff to deal directly with family concerns and ideas. The facility may be able to use the family council as a sounding board for new ideas. Councils also help residents express meaningful appreciation for staff, as well as an opportunity for staff to know families and residents better.
• Services and activities for residents—Family and community involvement can enrich the lives of residents and keep them connected to the community outside of the facility. Council sponsored activities and events to supplement the activity program.
• Legislative Action—To support a united consumer action for quality care and a life of dignity for long-term care residents.

The Right to Organize

Families are guaranteed the right to form and hold regular meetings of a family council in the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Law. Federally certified facilities must promote and support family councils and non certified facilities should want to support family councils by:

• Providing private space within the facility for a family council to meet privately;
• Designating a staff liaison to provide assistance when needed. Facility staff cannot attend meetings unless invited; and
• Listening and responding to the grievances and recommendations of residents and families concerning resident care and life in the facility.
  

Getting Started on a Family Council

Information and resources on beginning a family council in your facility, or making your existing family council more effective.

Regional Ombudsmen

Organization and Structure of family councils

The organization and structure of a family council is important. A strong council structure is necessary for a successful and lasting group.

Barriers Facing Family Councils

Concern and Complaint Resolution

Outreach

My Family Council

For a list of Related Family Council Sites, click here.