What We Do

The Independent Long-Term Care Councils Association of BC (ILTCCABC) plays a significant role in the LTC sector.

Belonging to a council enables residents and families to become involved in decisions that affect residents’ care and quality of life at the local, regional, and provincial levels.

Each of our member “Regional Associations of Family Councils” and their experienced volunteers can assist LTC home operators and residents’ families & representatives to learn about, establish and maintain effective “Family Councils” in LTC homes throughout BC.

These experienced volunteers share their knowledge of the LTC system and offer many resources to equip family councils with the tools they need to enable them to advocate effectively on behalf of all residents.

Regional Associations of Family Councils “invite” family councils from LTC homes to network with other family councils located within the same region. In a collective effort the regional associations gather perspectives and recommendations relevant to quality of life and quality of care for all residents

This collective voice is elevated to the Health Authorities and Ministry of Health.

Individual Family Councils & government making a difference together!

At the care home level, to promote independent Family Councils:

In care homes, Family Council members help identify and promote practices that have proven to be valuable for residents and make important suggestions to promote quality of care or quality of life for their loved ones and all residents in their own care home. Their suggestions come from direct observation of the experiences commonly shared by persons living in long-term care. 

At the regional level, to support member Regional Associations of Family Councils:

Regional Associations are comprised of independent Family Councils from within the same health authority. Members network and identify best practices and concerns which are widely shared by individual Family Councils. Together they explore possible solutions for improvements in long-term care homes and the long-term care system to be further examined and evaluated at a provincial level.

At the provincial level, to advance the collective voice via the Provincial Association of Family Councils:

The ILTCCABC is comprised of Regional Association members, who network to collectively voice recommendations which have the integrity and accuracy that come from experiences and perspectives first identified by independent Family Councils, validated at meetings in their respective Regional Association, and then gathered and presented by the Provincial Association directly to the Ministry of Health for consideration. For example, ILTCCABC met with the Ministry and presented the top five systemic issues across BC along with their recommendations.

Fast Facts about the ILTCCABC:

  • It’s a provincial non-profit association of Family Councils representing the collective voice of residents, their families, and residents’ representatives.
  • It’s a partner in the long-term care sector having the opportunity to engage with the Ministry of Health and is a valuable resource for the development of Resident and Family Councils throughout BC.
  • It has member Regional Associations of Family Councils operating in every health authority across BC. Experienced volunteers assist long-term care home operators, residents’ families and representatives to learn about, establish and maintain effective Family Councils throughout the province.

Role of the ILTCCABC

  • Gather information from Regional Associations
  • Provide training and leadership to the Regional Associations
  • Assist regional associations and resident or family councils in dispute resolution.
  • Work with regional associations on educating service providers on roles and rights.
  • Liaise with Health Authorities on long-term care related initiatives.
  • Liaise with Ministry of Health regarding long-term care and Resident or Family Councils concerns and initiatives.
  • Promote public awareness on Resident or Family Councils, related issues, and initiatives.
  • Support research on long-term care and Resident or Family Councils that can lead to improved care.
  • Report on provincial successes, issues, and concerns
  • Advocate to government on policy and legislation related to Lon-Term Care and Resident or Family Councils