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Educating families is
an important part of the work of a family council. As you may have
encountered, many people feel that once they send a loved one or
family member to a nursing home, the power is no longer in their
hands. The resident can feel that his rights have been superseded
by those of the facility.
This is simply not true.
You do not give up any rights when you move into a nursing home.
The more families know, the more empowered they become. That is
good for both the families and the residents.
Best practices for
recruiting members for the family council
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Staff and administration
know the purpose of family councils and support the concept.
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The council has
a mission statement that family members know and accept.
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The council offers
a variety of opportunities for family involvement in the improvement
of quality in residents' lives.
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Opportunities
exist for the family council to hear concerns from its members
and for the group to offer solutions.
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Meetings include
time for socializing. No one in the group feels left out.
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A concrete plan
is in place to recruit new members.
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The council takes
time to formally recognize its achievements and its members'
contributions.
Practical advice
to inform, publicize, and educate families and residents about the
family council.
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Flyers, meals,
name tags, and posters are easy, inexpensive ways to get the
word out.
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Meetings with
resident council members-- get residents' perspectives.
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Education about
the facility and the duties of each department-One family council
planned a series called "prospectus on Caring." In order to
learn more about the staff, cooks, laundry and housekeeping
staff, CNA's, etc., each explained their daily routines and
duties.
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Regular review
of residents' rights would arm family members with essential
knowledge and empower them to resolve issues by working with
nursing home staff. If initial resolution steps are not successful,
families could be informed about next steps such as contacting
nursing home owners, legislators, etc.
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Many families
need to be informed of Care Plans. The care plan is a contract
for care with the facility. A resident's care plan is the key
to quality care that meets individual needs. Families have the
right to be informed of and attend the care plan conferences
if their loved one wishes.
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Information
on disease processes is vital for families. The Alzheimer's
Association and similar groups can be invited to the council
meetings to educate families.
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The Long Term
Care Ombudsman should be the primary resource on residents'
rights, resolving concerns, and links to other agencies.
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Many families may be interested in the Department of Public
Health's survey process. Families need to know more clearly
what their role is in the process.
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Pioneer Network
practices are innovative models of care that nurture the human
spirit while retaining staff in nursing homes. These Pioneer
models of care move away from the traditional medical model
that focused solely on the treatment of disease and begin to
think of caring for the entire person. A family council familiar
with the principles of the Pioneer Network could work with staff
on the implementation of these practices.
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The Medicare/Medicaid
system often raises questions for families. The council can
ask facility staff to explain the details of the Medicare-Medicaid
system.
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The council can
ask staff share information from conferences they have recently
attended such as the Pioneer Workshops, Alzheimer's Conference,
provider association meetings, etc.
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