Resident Councils
What is a nursing home Resident Council?
A resident Council is an independent, organized group of nursing home residents who meet regularly to create change, address quality and dignity of care, plan resident activities, participate in legislation, and discuss other matters that are brought before the Council members. Resident councils play an instrumental role in advocating good care for residents at their nursing home or boarding care home.
The role of a resident council is to improve the quality of life, increase resident satisfaction and participate in self-help initiatives to enable residents to create a positive living environment. Resident Councils may actively participate through a working partnership with the nursing home or assisted living facility to advise and assist in all aspects of housing operations.
The sizes and structure of Councils varies widely. Some Resident Councils function well with up to 30 residents at meetings. Others are effective with only a few active members. Leadership styles vary as does the amount of resident participation.
Why have a Resident Council?
The lives of nursing home residents are heavily controlled by laws, rules and policies set by the government and the nursing home. Compromises in life styles become necessary due to health problems and the close quarters in which residents live. These compromises and controls can make nursing home residents feel like their opinions and preferences do not matter.
Many nursing home residents are not content to give up control over their lives. They want an active role in life and the chance to influence decisions which affect them. A Resident Council gives them that chance.
Effective Councils can:
Improve communication between staff and residents Serve as a source of new ideas and help identifying quality of life and care issues Help individual residents speak up in a collective voice to effect change Assist the nursing home in planning activities and events Promote friendship between residents through regular meetings.
For further information or questions please contact us or call 1-800-893-4055
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