A Family Council is a self-determining, democratic body compo
sed of friends, family members, or persons of importance to residents in long term residential care.
A successful Family Council will:
Provide a way for all of its members to share ideas and experiences with each other…
Provide its members with educational experiences…
Establish effective lines of communication between all stake-holders…
Have regular meetings that can provide a forum for safe, productive discussion, and help participants to identify strengths that they want to protect in a facility, as well as issues that are a concern to many family members…
Offer suggestions to management on matters related to delivery of quality care for residents in care…
Provide input to processes such as Accreditation…
Work on projects that will benefit residents in care…
Link with Family Councils in other facilities to identify and address concerns that are systemic in facilities, communities, or Health Authorities.
Some help starting a family council:
Contact the Vancouver Island Association of Family Councils for help starting a council of your own.
The Island Health Family Council Guide offers suggestions for starting Family Councils.