ILTCCABC and member regional associations promote key factors of council effectiveness in long-term care.
In the spirit of holiday giving, ILTCCABC is sharing 12 tips (one a day) for long-term care Resident and Family Councils. Each tip supports a factor in effective councils as discovered by UBC Research:
https://iltccabc.ca/news/raise-your-voice-how-to-increase-the-effectiveness-of-resident-and-family-councils-in-long-term-care-homes-canadian-journal-on-aging/
COMMUNICATION
Tip 1:
Ensure the council has a regular, defined process for communication between staff/leadership. Every two months is a good pace with ad hoc email or office drop-ins promoting friendly conversation, building trust and deepening relationships.
Tip 2:
Ensure accountability. Follow up on issues raised at Family Council meetings. Sharing a recap or minutes of meetings. Choose the top 3 items for leadership, keeping meetings with leadership brief, focused and manageable for follow-up.
STRUCTURE
Tip 3:
Family caregiver time is valuable. Most cannot see beyond their loved one to participate. Structured councils with a clear definition of who they are and what they do are vital. Agendas before and Minutes after meetings help attract attendance if crafted with the busy family caregiver in mind.
Tip 4:
Family council meetings are self-led and self-directed for best results. This provides family caregivers a safe and confidential space to share and ask questions about care home policy and procedure. Staff/leadership time at meetings is most effective when invited, and some questions are asked in advance.
RECRUITMENT & ENGAGEMENT
Tip 5:
The admission process must introduce the council community on day one. Councils that have a promotional pamphlet and a welcome card for new families will stand a chance of being contacted.
Tip 6:
Coming Tomorrow…
