Who We Are
ILTCCABC is a registered society under the BC Societies Act. It is a provincial association of family councils representing the collective voice of residents, their families, and representatives. ILTCCABC comprises its member Regional Associations of Family Councils, which operate in every health authority in BC. ILTCCABC is viewed by the Ministry of Health as an important partner (stakeholder in the long-term care sector). ILTCCABC contributes to the development and maintenance of independent resident and family councils in LTC.
ILTCCABC and its member regional associations of family councils aim to improve the LTC journey for residents and their families by assisting them to learn about, establish and maintain effective independent LTC home resident and family councils across BC. Resources are provided to equip resident and family councils with the tools they need to advocate effectively on behalf of all residents. Individual councils receive ongoing support from regional association volunteer members with lived experiences who have a broad understanding of the LTC system. These experienced volunteers also offer assistance and guidance to the LTC home team.
They can explain the various ways in which the LTC home can support resident and family councils, thereby increasing the likelihood of a collaborative and respectful working relationship between the LTC home and the council.
Each regional association invites family councils operating within its respective Health Authority to become a member, enabling councils to network with each other. Additionally, individuals in the community are encouraged to reach out to your respective regional association of family councils and inquire about becoming a volunteer member to advocate for councils in LTC homes. (e.g., individuals who: currently or in the past advocated to enhance the quality of care and quality of life of residents in LTC; once were members of a LTC Family Council or had loved ones residing in LTC; volunteered in LTC; previously worked in LTC).
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 the 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 the government on policy and legislation related to Long-Term Care and Resident or Family Councils.
We PROMOTE Independent Family Councils
(members are family members and other representatives who act on behalf of residents in long term care homes). Members meet to identify and promote practices that have proven to be valuable for residents in their long-term care home. They make important suggestions and recommendations to facility management to promote quality of life for all residents in their own care home based on direct observation of the experiences commonly shared by persons living in long term care.
We SUPPORT Our Member Regional Associations of Family Councils
(members are independent family councils from within the same health authority. An individual from the community may also be considered as a member, e.g. a person who previously was a member of a long-term care family council. Each regional association determines its membership through its own terms of reference or bylaws.) Members network to identify best practices and concerns which are widely shared by individual family councils in the region. Together they brainstorm possible solutions for improvements to the long term care system to be further examined and evaluated by representation from all regional associations though the provincial association of family councils.
We ADVANCE the Collective Voice via the Provincial Association of Family Councils
(members are regional associations of family councils from every health authority) . Members network to consolidate the collective voice of recommendations which have the integrity and accuracy that come from experiences and perspectives that are 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.
