What a Family Council is not

How do you know your facility has a Family Council?
Some homes may imply that they have family groups and support nights, but the distinguishing characteristic of a Family Council is that it is independent of the nursing home management and influence. Also, there may be several other types of meetings or social gatherings happening, but the family council has a specific agenda that separates these events.

Not just a Family Night
The staff of most nursing homes and long-term care facilities plan and lead a night for families of residents to get together. Sometimes it is completely social in nature, while other times or in different homes it can be a program of education and information.
Often it may only be held from two to four times a year.

Not just a Family Support Group
While one of the most cherished aspects of a Family council is often the emotional support that the members receive, it must be distinguished from support groups led by staff members of the home or facility who are trained and hired to conduct such groups.
A family support group exists to allow families to share and resolve the emotional conflicts. And negative feelings associated with having a loved one in a nursing home.

Not just an Auxiliary or Volunteer Group
An auxiliary or volunteer group usually supplements a home's service members and volunteers frequently raise funds, provide resident care that does not require professional staff, or become involved in additional activities for residents.

What a Family Council is
A family council is an independent (self-led and self-determining) group of families and friends of residents that together protect and improve the quality of life for residents and provide families with a voice in decisions that affect their loved ones.

It may be called a variety of names, from Family Support Group to Friends of Residents to Families Care, but the important distinction that must be made for it to function as a family council is that no staff members are present or participate. The facility must have no control or ability to determine the direction of the family council.

This does not imply that the family council does not want to work with the facility. Effective councils do work with facilities when they are open to dialogue. However, staff not attending meetings gives families the opportunity to voice concerns without fear, to solicit the help of the ombudsman for complete information, and to solicit legal and medical assistance if necessary before meeting with the facility staff.