ILTCCABC sincerely wishes you, your families, and all residents living in long-term care a joyful holiday season and a hopeful new year.
As 2025 draws to a close, we pause and express our deep gratitude to everyone who has volunteered their time, energy, and heart to support resident and family councils. We thank long-term care home operators, staff, health authorities and our Ministry of Health for recognizing and embracing engagement with councils in care homes.
Across British Columbia, many of you have been supported by volunteers from our five regional associations of family councils. We are grateful for your guidance, persistence, and commitment to ensuring as many long-term care homes as possible can experience the strength and impact of effective family and resident councils.
At the provincial level, the ILTCCABC Executive thanks you for your input, dedication, and hard work. Because of your efforts, meaningful change is happening. You have made a difference by:
- guiding families in building respectful, collaborative relationships with care home leadership
- educating staff and families about the value of family council engagement in decisions that affect residents’ quality of life
- serving as trusted resources for information, support, and connections
- supporting councils and care homes in elevating needed improvements to health authorities, regional forums and the Ministry of Health
- and celebrating the remarkable efforts and successes of family councils through our NEWSLETTER
2025 was a year of growth and momentum.
It was a significant year for local-level support of existing councils, the expansion of new councils, and the transition of staff-led councils to more self-directed ones.
It was also a year in which ILTCCABC stepped onto provincial and national stages—presenting at conferences, leading workshops, and amplifying a message that guides our work: “Nothing about us without us.”
Most importantly, 2025 helped elevate the importance of long-term care in British Columbia at a time when our aging population is growing, levels of frailty are increasing, and human resources are stretched to their limits.
ILTCCABC is a volunteer organization. What we bring is lived experience, passion, and deep belief that engagement with residents and families in decision-making provides for the best possible outcomes in long-term care. Residents and Family Councils are far more than a legislated requirement—they are essential partners in shaping care home culture. Through their voices, feedback, and collaboration, councils help ensure that care continues to improve in ways that reflect the needs, wishes, and dignity of residents.
Thank you for all that you do, often quietly and always with care. Together with your care teams, you are helping create long-term care communities that are more relational, responsive, and compassionate.
With heartfelt appreciation and warm wishes for the year ahead,
Season’s Greetings and our best wishes for a Happy New Year,
From the ILTCCABC Executive Board
